ISRO to start testing reusable satellite launch vehicle in July to facilitate multiple launchesThe technology of using reusable launch vehicle will significantly bring down the cost of launching satellites says ISRO.
This technology of using reusable launch vehicle will help to lower the overall cost of launching satellites. ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization) further announced the launch of its first satellite, “Astrosat” dedicated specially for astronomy, by September 2015. While addressing a press conference in New Delhi, which was arranged to highlight the landmark of the first anniversary of the NDA government in the arena of space, Jitendra Singh, Minister for State in the Prime Minister’s Office, made this announcement. Besides mentioning the launch of Astrosat in September this year, Mr Singh also said India would complete the launch of two satellites of Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) series in 2016 and three satellites, in the subsequent year. Mr Singh said: “This is in its initial stages. There are multiple experiments which need to be completed. The first launch is in July and this will help improve cost effectiveness. It will reduce the cost by one-tenth.” Mr Singh told the conference that Indian Space department has launched 11 satellites over the past one year. He also added that India will be giving more emphasis on development of space missions like Mangalyan. ISRO chairman A S Kiran Kumar said: “The launch vehicle will be landing first time in the ocean and the ultimate attempt is to make it land at an air-strip at Sriharikota.” Mr Kumar said: “The satellite (of Astrosat) was delayed because one of the payloads had a component and there was an issue with respect to that. Now the satellite is fully integrated and the environmental test is fully in progress and it will be launched in September this year.” Mr. Kumar further added that it will take another three years for India’s lunar mission to launch the satellite. Mr. Kumar also mentioned that they have received images from the (MOM) Mars Orbiter Mission mission, which is currently under the process of validation and analysis. He further said that upon the confirmation of the various discoveries made by the mission it will be declared in public. He also added : “We have a working arrangement with NASA. We are also in discussion with CNES (French space agency). Recently we had a discussion with the UAE. It wants to have a Mars Mission for 2020. So they are interested in making use of the expertise available here.” Mr Singh on the other hand also announced the launch of an Augmented Reality (AR) Android app developed by ISRO, named ‘Sakaar’ which can work on Android Ice Cream Sandwich MR1 (4.0.3) and above. Sakaar app comprises of 3D models of Mars mission, rockets, videos of INSAT and 3D perdicting cyclones. This app shows live view of physical and real world environment which are further supplemented by computer generated 3D models, animations and videos. The app can be downloaded here.
