Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) Chairman K Radhakrishnan on Sunday said the space agency will confidently look forward for heavy satellite carriage contracts from foreign parties after it successfully launches one more Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) or rocket.
He also said the space agency is working with its American counterpart for the development of a satellite.
“(After) flying one more GSLV, we will be in a position to declare the rocket commercially operational,” K Radhakrishnan told reporters in Chennai.
He said communication satellites are of various weight and Isro’s GSLV rocket can carry up to 2 tons.
Stating that there are niche satellites weighing around 2 tons, Radhakrishnan said that in another 12 months, the next GSLV rocket will be ready for a mission.
“Isro has lined up several satellite launches for the current GSLV rocket version. GSLV will be used to launch satellites GSAT-6, 7A, 9, GISAT and Chandrayaan-2 or the moon mission,” the official said.
Radhakrishnan said an advanced version of GSLV-Mark III is being developed and an experimental mission will take place in April this year.
The rocket will have a passive cryogenic stage or engine. The main purpose of the mission is to study the aerodynamics and stability of the rocket.
He said Isro will also launch a German satellite EnMAP (Environmental Mapping and Analysis Programme) weighing around 800 kg.
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