A Milestone in Indian Space Research

Indian Space Research Organisation Prize for Students

A Milestone in Indian Space Research

Chennai: April 23: the successful launch of PSLV CB is a milestone in Indian space research, as it is exploiting the commercial value of the technological value of the technological advance made by scientists over the years.

It was in 1981 that India joined the P5 and Japan as the seventh country with launch capacity by successfully placing the satellite Rohini in the orbit. Since then. Only Israel has placed satellites in the orbit using its indigenously developed vehicle in 1988.

Through the Indian satellites have carried payloads from other countries like Korea, Germany, Indonesia and Argentina in the past, the marketing wing of the ISRO.

Antrix Corporation, has undertaken this as a commercial launch with a foreign satellite as the primary payload for the first time.

This is also the first time a European satellite is launched using Indian facilities. While the agency spent around Rs.65 crore for the vehicle, it charged around USD 29,00 a kilo. The going rate for commercial launch is around USD 10,000 to 15,000 a kilo.

That India is the only equatorial country with launch capability has ensured that the launch comes at a premium. Underlining the commercial significance of the success of Monday’s launch, ISRO chairman Mandhavan Nair said it was a good faray into the launch business.

“We have proven the reliability of our launch vehicles and also our cost effectiveness and timely delivery,” said Nair.

It was on the face of intense international competition that Antrix snatched the deal, he added. Apart from the launch, the agency has also bagged a contract for building to satellites. The ISRO will build the satellite while, EADS, Austria, will manufacture the transponders.

The head of EADS met Nair and “Two more launches are likely,” he disclosed Giovanni Bignami. President, Italian Space Agency, also added that Agile’s launch was the beginning of “a new stage of our collaboration.”

The ISRO was readying another three launches in the current year; the renewed attempt with the GSLV that met with a debacle last time, a PSLV with Cartosat and another commercial launch of the polar vehicle, Nair said.

Apart from the launch the agency has also bagged a contract for building two satellites.

A Milestone in Indian Space Research

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