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ISRO To Commercialise Launch Vehicle Technology

File photo of Cartosat 1's launch on a PSLV rocket.
Mumbai, India (SPX) Jan 16, 2006
Betting on its cost effective and proven launch vehicle technology, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is planning to enter the launch vehicle business, aiming for a 10 per cent market share over the next five years, reports PTI.

"We are going to carry a European satellite on board a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) this year. That will give a turnover of USD 10 million," ISRO Chairman G Madhavan Nair told PTI here.

ISRO recently announced that India's first fully commercial satellite launch in April or May will be carrying Agile, an Italian satellite, on top of a PSLV C-3.

According to industry estimates, the launch vehicle technology market is valued at about USD two billion globally.

"We hope to get one or two launches per year", Nair added.

ISRO plans to become self-sufficient in this sector after the scheduled launch of its GSLV Mk III in 2008, which is capable of carrying heavier satellites of up to four tonnes.

"It will be a great opportunity for us if we can capture at least 10 per cent of the launch market in the next five years," Nair said.

ISRO signed an agreement with the Russian space agency in December 2005 to launch two of its satellites for the global navigation system, Glonas. The space agency will also be launching an Indonesian micro-satellite this year.

"We are in the process of holding discussions with some people. We decided to go ahead with this business," he said.

ISRO has successfully launched eight PSLVs and three GSLV in the last ten years.

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India Approves Launch Of Seven Satellite Launch Vehicles
New Delhi (AFP) Dec 17, 2005
India's cabinet has authorised the nation's space agency, ISRO, to launch seven satellite launch vehicles, a report said Saturday. India, which wants to become a niche player in the global space communications market, had earlier announced plans to launch up to one dozen satellites over the next four years.