Spotlight

New Delhi, 12 February 2007

GLOBAL LAUNCHING MARKET BROADENS

NEW DELHI, February 13 (INFA): The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is slowly but surely increasing its share in the global satellite launching market.

In addition to its scientific success, proved by its recent launch of the PSLV-C7 satellite, the ISRO is now all set to launch an Italian satellite next month.

The ISRO’s launching market is getting bigger because its satellite launching charge is much less than the space agencies of other countries.

One of the reasons for reducing launching cost is that the capacity of its launch vehicles to carry more payload is building up. PSLV-C7 lifted 4 satellites and in the days to come the ISRO’s satellites may carry more satellites.

Secondly, after the ISRO masters the re-entry technology, of which the first step has been taken with the putting into orbit the SRE-1, the launching cost of a satellite will come down further giving the ISRO a greater edge in the global market. 

The high-tech reusable launch vehicle (RLV) programme is now taking shape in the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre.

The space scientists say, SRE-1 is a technological forerunner to Indian scientists building reusable launch vehicles like ‘Discovery’, especially in the context of next year’s first unmanned moon mission chandrayan-1. They point out that currently, to place a kilo gram of payload in a 600 to 900 kilometer orbit, the cost is between 12,000 to 15,000 US dollars. 

Once reusable launch vehicles (RLV) become operational, this figure will drop by about 80 per cent. It will allow the ISRO to place satellites in orbit more frequently. 

Scientists say that tentatively the first technology demonstrator flight of RLV is slated for 2008-09. It will be a two-stage wingled vehicle.

The work on conceptual design and power system for RLV has already begun. Studies are also in progress relating to its semi-cryogenic engine.

The ISRO officials also claimed that RLV will be superior to the space shuttles already in use because it will have a number of enhanced safety features. ---INFA

SCIENCE CITY IN ANDHRA

HYDERABAD, February 13 (INFA): A massive state-of-the-art integrated Odyssey Science City is proposed to be established in drought-prone Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh. 

An investment of Rs.1 lakh crore has been planned over the next ten years by a consortium of four Australian and Singapore-based companies.

A MoU was recently signed at Hyderabad. The proposed Centre will be developed into a National Centre for Technology and Innovations of hi-tech manufacturing industries and software development.