ISRO chairman A.S. Kiran Kumar told a press conference that with Monday’s launch of eight satellites in two orbits, the PSLV “can undertake any type of mission.”
Flanked by senior scientists including Mission Director B. Jayakumar and Satellite Director O.V. Raghava Reddy, Mr. Kiran Kumar announced the success of the launches from the Mission Control Centre.
Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre K. Sivan said PSLV C-35 was the “longest mission” of the PSLV so far.
‘Enhanced marketability’Chairman-cum-Managing Director of Antrix Corporation — ISRO’s commercial arm, S. Rakesh said the launch has enhanced the “marketability and versatility” of PSLV and has put the ISRO’s workhorse in a “unique position” in the global satellite launch services market.
He said Antrix was in talks with many countries for more launches to the tune of about Rs. 280 crore.
Besides the Indian satellites, PSLV rockets have so far launched 79 satellites from 21 foreign countries.
More launchesISRO plans to launch the GSAT-18 communication satellite from French Guiana on October 4, the Resourcesat 2A on board a PSLV rocket in November and its GSLV Mk III by the end of this year.
ISRO, which has so far been taking orders from international customers to launch their satellites into space on its rockets, is also planning to design satellites on customers’ requirements, Mr. Kiran Kumar said.
As for the participation of Afghanistan and Bangladesh in SAARC Satellite, Mr. Rakesh said there were some issues and they were being sorted out.
