Isro: PSLV set for Nov.-Dec. launch
The country’s versatile rocket, Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), will be ready for its next flight by NovemberDecember as the cause for the snag which resulted in an unsuccessful flight on August 31 has been identified and is now awaiting endorsement by a committee of experts, says chairman of Isro, A.S. Kiran Kumar.
The glitch — a malfunctioning heat shield —
Cause for the snag which resulted in an unsuccessful flight on August 31 has been identified, says Isro chairman
wrought a gloomy beginning forIndia Inc’s foray into space as IRNSS-1H, the first satellite manufactured by the private sector, could not be not placed in orbit.
On Friday, Mr Kiran Kumar was optimistic that the workhorse rocket would resume flights within a couple of months. “We have identified what the problem is, and we are going through simulations to make sure what we are concluding, is what has exactly happened (during the unsuccessful flight on August 31). The committee, which has been set up to go through the report is having detailed discussions and the report will come out very soon. After the committee gives its final report, we will resume the launches by NovemberDecember,” he said, on the sidelines of silver jubilee celebrations of Antrix Corporation Ltd, the corporate arm of Isro.
He said the setback had no impact on the demand for the launch of foreign satellites by PSLV. Besides, ISRO plans to put together a consortium of private and public companies for manufacture of PSLV as part of a strategy to increase the number of launches and grab a larger slice of the multi-billion market for placing satellites in orbit.