The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is planning to develop a small launch vehicle for communication satellites that could be assembled in just 3 days. These launch vehicles will cost 1/10th of the cost of conventional launch vehicles and will be much lighter.
A normal-sized PSLV takes 30-40 days to be assembled and costs between Rs 150-500 crore. ISRO’s upcoming launch vehicle will take just a few days to be built and will cost lesser than PSLV.
Dr K Sivan, director of Thiruvananthapuram-based Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), told TOI that the space agency was developing a small launch vehicle that will be ready by 2018 or 2019. The rocket would be able to carry a payload of 500-700 kg and can launch satellites in orbits that are near earth (500-700 km in altitude).
The weight of these rockets will three times lesser than the conventional launch vehicle– it will weigh just 100 tonnes.
The scientist said that the money saved could be used to manufacture more such launch vehicles and put more satellites in orbits around the globe. Such vehicles will have the capacity to launch nanosatellites.
This rocket will give ISRO an edge in the nano-satellite business as the space agency will be able to assemble these rockets in just three days on demand. ISRO has been sending satellites of various nations into the space using PSLVs.
A normal-sized PSLV takes 30-40 days to be assembled and costs between Rs 150-500 crore. ISRO’s upcoming launch vehicle will take just a few days to be built and will cost lesser than PSLV.
Dr K Sivan, director of Thiruvananthapuram-based Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), told TOI that the space agency was developing a small launch vehicle that will be ready by 2018 or 2019. The rocket would be able to carry a payload of 500-700 kg and can launch satellites in orbits that are near earth (500-700 km in altitude).
The weight of these rockets will three times lesser than the conventional launch vehicle– it will weigh just 100 tonnes.
The scientist said that the money saved could be used to manufacture more such launch vehicles and put more satellites in orbits around the globe. Such vehicles will have the capacity to launch nanosatellites.
This rocket will give ISRO an edge in the nano-satellite business as the space agency will be able to assemble these rockets in just three days on demand. ISRO has been sending satellites of various nations into the space using PSLVs.