Yes, you read that right. A consortium of private organizations is all set to launch India’s private rocket by 2020. If the mission goes as per the plan and the rocket is a success, then sending smaller satellites to space would definitely becomes easier. This would benefit meeting local and global customers with their demands.
Most of us are aware of the fact that presently the only manufacturer of Rockets in India is none other than the government undertaking Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). They have already successfully hurled around 86 satellites including 45 foreign to space of small and medium sizes using its Polar Satellite launch vehicle (PSLV), since its debut two decades ago.
ISRO sought the help of organizations like Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL), Godrej Aerospace, Larsen & Tubro, Walchandnagar Industries and Avasarala Technologies to built the PSLV. The systems and integrating components acquired from these companies were put into use.
ISRO also has increased it’s capacity to launch satellites from two per year to six every year. Even then, ISRO is not able to meet the ever rising demands for satellite launches as 23 foreign satellites are still in the pipeline, waiting to be launched. Additionally, global firms are also seeking to launch satellites like one web that plans to launch 648 satellites on low orbits of the earth, in order to make internet available to villages.
Having said that, there are a lot of private companies coming up internationally as well. So, the major focus now lies in building rockets that can launch satellites at low cost. Once such firm called SpaceX is already planning to bring costs of satellites transportation down with the help of rocket reuse. They are all set to commercialize their Falcon 9 rocket next year and has the ability to launch 5.5 tonne satellites 36000 kms away from space, into the geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO) and carry out manned missions as well. It does this all for 1/3rd the cost that the European space agency, Arianspace currently charges. Comparatively, ISRO with its present GSLV capacity of 2.5 Tonnes is working on building a heavier version GSLV MKIII with an ability to carry 6 Tonne worth of satellite weight. Charges of ISRO and SpaceX to hurl 2.5 Tonne satellite into space today are pretty much the same, but with competitors pouring in consistently from across the world, cost factor needs to be worked up and hence, ISRO is working on new products as well.
Now, that private consortium are also manufacturing PSLV’s, ISRO can increase its limit of satellite launch to 18 satellites a year besides getting more time to focus on other missions and innovations. Additionally, if private companies are able to create attractive and functionally dependable satellites, it could open doors to global opportunities.
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