ISRO to launch 3 satellites for high-speed bandwidth connectivity

ISRO to launch 3 satellites for high-speed bandwidth connectivity

ISRO to launch 3 satellites for high-speed bandwidth connectivity

ISRO_Satellites

MUMBAI: To provide high-speed bandwidth connectivity to rural areas, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch three more satellites as a part of the government’s digital India programme, according to a report by the Press Trust of India.

After the successful launch of two UK satellites by Indian rocket Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) on Sunday, ISRO Chairman K Sivan said, "The ISRO will launch three more satellites, which together will provide international level bandwidth speed."

According to Sivan, the satellites are AGSAT 20 (to be launched next year), GSAT 11, and GSAT 29. GSAT 19 has already been launched.

Sivan informed that the space agency had planned a series of launches over the next six months. There will be a rocket launch mission every second week.

Sivan also said earth observation satellites will also be launched in addition to the communication satellites. The much-awaited moon mission will happen next January.

"The launch window for Chandrayaan-2 mission is planned between 3 January and 16 February 2019. We are aiming for 3 January. We do not expect any delay in the Chandrayaan-2 mission," Sivan said.

Sivan said that ISRO will be the certifying agency for the rocket carrying Indian astronauts.

According to Antrix Corporation, chairman-cum-managing director S Rakesh, the revenue from the launch of two UK satellites is over Rs 220 crore. Sivan said that the ISRO would like to get the expertise of other countries in this regard.

India on Sunday night successfully put into orbit British earth observation satellites NovaSAR and S1-4 in copybook style.

The two satellites belonged to Surrey Satellite Technologies Ltd (SSTL), UK.

Queried about the next commercial launch, Sivan said, “The next PSLV rocket will carry 30 small satellites from third parties apart from carrying an Indian satellite.”