Hyderabad: Indian Space Research Organisation is all set to create history with launch of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark-III with a payload of four tonnes on June 5. All systems are ready and the whole process of assembling various stages and integrating the satellite into the heat shield are going on as planned, according to Isro chairman A.S. Kiran Kumar.
He spoke on “Use of Space Technology in India” while delivering the A.V. Rama Rao Technology Award Lecture at the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology here on Friday. This is the first time that Isro would be launching a 4,000-kg payload. Till date, the PSLV with a 2.5 tonne payload has been the workhorse of ISRO and it is depending on other countries to launch heavier satellites.
“India had to depend on others for launching heavy payloads but not anymore,” the scientist said, adding that the space agency still depended for material to the extent of 20 per cent on sources abroad and was continuously working to reduce this and become self-reliant. He said Isro was willing to transfer the lithium ion battery technology that it has developed for satellites, to the automobile industry.
