Isro eyeing small satellite makers
As the small satellite industry is growing fast, the need for vehicles also increasing.
Sriharikota: With the successful launch of 104 satellites in a single mission, the Indian Space Research Organisation is aiming to attract small satellites manufacturers.
"Developers of small satellites cannot afford a full launch vehicle. So, they have to wait to go with the bigger satellites. Many times the orbit of the bigger satellite is entirely different from what they are looking for. This is one of the major problems faced by them," Isro chairman A.S. Kiran Kumar said.
As the small satellite industry is growing fast, the need for vehicles also increasing. "We wanted to cater the need of small satellites market. PSLV is ideally placed as we can provide frequent launch service with it. The excessive capacity in PSLV rockets can effectively be used for launching small satellites," he added.
It is expected that in next 10 years it will have the market value of $22 billion.
"Some want 200 satellites constellation and some other want 1,400 satellites constellation. PSLV is trying to capture this particular segment. We are trying to maximising our returns," he said. However, he noted that unless the launch capability is increased to 12 to 18 launches a year it is difficult to give importance to the commercial launches.