Inspired by the successes of Elon Musk’s SpaceX project, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is looking to enter the commercial satellite transport market where these private players have already carved a niche for themselves.
ISRO’s workhorse, polar rocket PSLV C34, could soon make history by carrying India’s Cartosat 2C along with 21 other satellites into space successfully. This will help India pit itself as a viable alternative to already mature projects such as SpaceX and Blue Origins, reports Bloomberg.
According to sources, the Indian PSLV rocket can currently only carry around 7000 lb to LEO, while SpaceX can carry 50,000 lb as highlighted by one of our sources. So, even though
Though ISRO has a long road ahead of itself it looks like it’s moving in the right direction.
ISRO, which sent its first rocket to space in 1963 and its first satellite in 1975, has scheduled a launch on 20 June. The launch, which will see 22 satellites being carried on a single rocket, will help ease a global backlog of international projects.
PSLV C34, which will carry satellites from the US, India, Canada and Germany, will enter the orbit after a scheduled launch from Sriharikota barrier island along the southeast coast, ISRO’s chairman, AS Kiran Kumar, revealed in an interview to Bloomberg.
ISRO which touts its traditionally low-cost program along with achievements such as putting an orbiter around Mars and building a space-shuttle prototype, thinks low-cost launches is the missing pieces for space travel.
Customers today are looking for the most cost-effective launches with short turnaround times. If tomorrow, Elon Musk is able to do what he is working on today, he can launch every day, every week, every month. And obviously, if he is able to do that, he will capture a large market.AS Kiran Kumar, Chairman, ISRO
(With agency inputs.)
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