Huge launch orders in bag

Antrix Corporation launches helped earn `1,790cr revenue this year

DC CORRESPONDENT NELLORE, SEPT. 26 ISRO’s commercial arm, Antrix Corporation has orders worth `280 crore to launch commercial satellites and it will take nearly three years to execute them, S. Rakesh, Chairman-cumManaging Director of Antrix Corporation, said.

Speaking to media persons after successful launch of PSLVC35/Scatsat-1 mission at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh on Monday, he said that Antrix earned revenue of `1,790 crore this year and `1,717 crore last year through launch of commercial satellites as well as data products.

ISRO Chairman A.S. Kirankumar said they have been exploring the possibility of manufacturing meteorological satellites for others in view of their expertise in the area. He added that only the US has been making meteorological satellites apart from India.

Responding to a question on SAARC Satellite, he said Pakistan opted out and discussions are in progress with Bangladesh and Afghanistan. The satellite is getting ready and it may take another six months to launch the mission.

Responding to questions on 6 tonne-satellites, he said that they have been contemplating Development of four tonne-satellites with functions to match the six tonne-satellites since they are incurring huge expenditure to launch such satellite through European Space Agency, Ariane.

Mr Kirankumar said Algerian representatives have expressed interest in launching more satellites through ISRO. He advised private industrial enterprises in India to exploit the space business citing private entities producing satellites in foreign countries.

The twin-orbit manoeuvre was accomplished by European Space Agency’s Vega rocket in May 2013.

ISRO is planning to launch its heaviest rocket, the Geo-Synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III, capable of putting 4-tonne satellites such as GSAT, before the end of this year or by January next year.

Work is in progress for the next PSLV launch with ResourceSat-1 on board in November.