ISRO's newly developed instant rockets can revolutionize the emerging global market of nano-satellites
Nov 22, 2017, 12:47 IST
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is developing a rocket that can be assembled in merely three days as compared to 30-40 days for a normal-sized Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
This development is in line with ISRO's efforts to "reduce the cost of access to space" so that more and more of space technologies can be used for the benefit of the common man.
The new launch vehicle can be built in one-tenth the original manufacturing cost of a PSLV. The manufacturing cost of a launch vehicle is generally in the range of Rs 150 crore to Rs 500 crore across the world. The weight of this mini-PSLV will be just 100 tonnes as compared to 300 tonnes of the normal-sized launch vehicle.
Further explaining the advantage, Dr K Sivan, director of Thiruvananthapuram-based Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, said, "The amount of money used in building a normal-size PSLV rocket can actually be used to manufacture multiple numbers of such mini-PSLVs, which, in turn, can launch several satellites. So, Isro will be able to launch several satellites in less money."
It is likely to be ready probably by 2018-end or early-2019. This rocket can take a total payload capacity of 500 to 700 kg and can launch satellites up to the polar sun-synchronous orbit or near-earth orbit (500-700 km in altitude), where India has a slew of satellites that are used for the purpose of earth imaging, weather tracking and reconnaissance.
Scientists are of the opinion that ISRO's new development can revolutionize the Indian satellite launch system entirely, and take it ahead of the global counterparts, especially when it comes to the emerging market of nano satellites. Like a normal PSLV, India's small launch vehicles will too be capable of launching multiple nano satellites and can cement the country as a global hub for small satellite launches in the future.
Till now, satellites of foreign customers were being accommodated in launch vehicles only as secondary passengers. With Isro eyeing to capture the market of nano satellites, the small vehicle can be a boon for foreign satellite customers as the rocket can be readied in just three days on demand. Precisely why ISRO is betting on smaller and instant rockets as it sees a global shortage of small launchers and a growing demand for vehicles to take small satellites into space.
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This development is in line with ISRO's efforts to "reduce the cost of access to space" so that more and more of space technologies can be used for the benefit of the common man.
The new launch vehicle can be built in one-tenth the original manufacturing cost of a PSLV. The manufacturing cost of a launch vehicle is generally in the range of Rs 150 crore to Rs 500 crore across the world. The weight of this mini-PSLV will be just 100 tonnes as compared to 300 tonnes of the normal-sized launch vehicle.
Further explaining the advantage, Dr K Sivan, director of Thiruvananthapuram-based Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, said, "The amount of money used in building a normal-size PSLV rocket can actually be used to manufacture multiple numbers of such mini-PSLVs, which, in turn, can launch several satellites. So, Isro will be able to launch several satellites in less money."
It is likely to be ready probably by 2018-end or early-2019. This rocket can take a total payload capacity of 500 to 700 kg and can launch satellites up to the polar sun-synchronous orbit or near-earth orbit (500-700 km in altitude), where India has a slew of satellites that are used for the purpose of earth imaging, weather tracking and reconnaissance.
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Till now, satellites of foreign customers were being accommodated in launch vehicles only as secondary passengers. With Isro eyeing to capture the market of nano satellites, the small vehicle can be a boon for foreign satellite customers as the rocket can be readied in just three days on demand. Precisely why ISRO is betting on smaller and instant rockets as it sees a global shortage of small launchers and a growing demand for vehicles to take small satellites into space.