Isro to Launch 6,500 kg US Satellite Soon

Chennai: Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) will launch a 6,500 kg communication satellite built by the United States within the next couple of months, chairman V. Narayanan announced on Sunday. The mission will be carried out using an Indian launcher from Indian soil.

The announcement comes shortly after the July 30 launch of the Nasa-Isro Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission aboard a GSLV-F16 rocket, which Narayanan described as “the costliest satellite ever built in the world,” carrying an L Band SAR payload from Nasa and an S Band payload from Isro.

Speaking at the 21st convocation of SRM Institute of Science and Technology near Chennai, where he was conferred an honorary Doctor of Science degree by Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan, Narayanan recalled the humble origins of India’s space programme in 1963, when the US donated a tiny rocket to Isro.

“In another couple of months, a country which once received a tiny rocket from the US is going to launch a 6,500 kg American-built satellite on its own launcher. What a significant growth it is,” he remarked.

Narayanan noted that Isro has so far launched 433 satellites from 34 countries using Indian launch vehicles. The agency currently operates 56 satellites and plans to triple that number within the next 2-3 years.

On upcoming projects, he said Isro will proceed with the Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission and aims to establish its own space station by 2035. “By 2040, we will match all developed countries in capability,” he added.

Highlighting key achievements, Narayanan said Isro discovered water molecules on the Moon through Chandrayaan-1, made the first-ever soft landing on the Moon’s south pole via Chandrayaan-3, and set a world record in 2017 by launching 104 satellites in a single PSLV mission.

He also emphasised Isro’s role in national development, with satellites supporting 55 applications, including TV broadcasting, telecommunication, weather forecasting, disaster management, navigation, and food and water security. “Even during Operation Sindoor, we ensured the safety and security of our citizens through satellite support,” he said.

The convocation saw 9,769 students, including 2,183 women, receiving their degrees, while 157 top rankers were honoured. Ministry of earth sciences secretary M. Ravichandran was also awarded an honorary Doctor of Science degree.