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The
succesful launch of the GSLV will pitchfork
India's ISRO into an elite group of countries
and groups with indigeneous satellite design
and launch capabilities: United States,
Russia, Japan, China and the European Space
Agency (ESA).
Nair
was speaking to journalists at a satellite
navigation conference which was held at
its offices in Bangalore yesterday. He said
that the launch window date will be kept,
good weather permitting.
Isro spokespersons have been pointing out
that using indigeneous launch vehicles will
result in a saving of about 30-40 per cent
or Rs 1.5 billion in expenses per launch.
With four satellites to be launched by GSLV
Mark II and Mark III, the savings thus will
be substantial. It will, however, be using
the services of Arianespace to launch the
Insat 4B satellite from Kouru in French
Guiana next year.
"With the commissioning of the Rs 3.5
billion ($75mn) second launch pad at Sriharikota,
India
is the only country to have such a state-of-the-art
facility to launch different types
of vehicles Ranging from PSLV (polar satellite
launch vehicle), GSLV Mark-1, GSLV Mark-II
to the upcoming GSLV Mark-III in the four-tonne
class," a top ISRO official is reported
to have said sometime back.
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