Isro’s Fat Boy to carry global satellites only in 2020
The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) might have to wait till 2020 before it can carry satellites for global customers on its most powerful rocket, the Fat Boy, which was launched on Monday.
The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (GSLV MK-3) would have to first fulfil local demand for heavy satellite launches.
GSLV MK-3, which uses a homegrown cryogenic engine, has to do at least two more launches before it is proven for commercial operations. After that, Isro will need to carry heavier communication satellites to meet the shortage of transponders for Indian customers.
“It should take 3-4 years for us to get into the global market with GSLV MK-3,” said Ajey Lele, senior fellow in the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) and head of its centre on strategic technologies. “Like the way we have PSLV, until we do three to four successful launches in 4-6-tonne class of satellites, it will not attract global customers.”
Monday’s launch demonstrated Isro’s mastery of a cryogenic engine, after almost three decades of effort, which it can improvise to build more powerful rockets. The vehicle can carry four-tonne communication satellites into space. A second development flight is scheduled in March, before it can make another launch to make it commercially operational.
At the same time, Isro is working on a more powerful GSLV MK-3, which can carry six-tonne satellites. Simultaneously, it will build a two-stage rocket that can lift 10-tonne satellites into space at a fraction of prevailing cost.
Space consultancy Euroconsult anticipates a total of 560 satellites to be launched over the decade by 40 companies. Most of these satellites will be to replace the communication capacity in orbit.
Analysts said the opportunity for Isro would only increase as it perfects a safer and more reliable rocket. "The market is expanding for many clients for this class of rockets. India will offer a cost advantage," said Lele.
Isro will for now use Arianespace's Ariane 5 rocket to hurl GSAT-11, the forthcoming satellite.