ISRO to launch more GSLVs, PSLVs in 2008

Hyderabad, Sep 27 (UNI) Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman G Madhavan Nair today said ISRO would launch two GSLVs and three PSLVs next year.

Talking to newspersons here, Mr Nair said the first GSLV with cryogenic engine, developed indigenously, with a capacity of carrying 4 tonne and above satellite, would also be launched as part of the 2008 Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV) programmes in the first half of 2008.

Stating that two commercial satellites would be launched by PSLV including the Cartosat -2 next year, he said the first launch of one of the seven satellites under Indian Regional Navigation System (IRNS) would be taken up in 2009. The total cost of the IRNS programme was about Rs 1600 crore.

Observing that the ISRO had signed MoUs with 26 countries to share technology and development taking place in the space, he said he reviewed the current status of cooperations with Chief's of NASA, European Space Agency (ESA) , Russia's ROSKOMOS, Japan's JAXA and China's Space Agency during the five day 58th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2007) now on in the city.

''All the developed countries respect the unique achievement of ISRO and have appreciated it for taking up space programmes for the benefit of comman man,'' he added.

Mr Nair said the ISRO and Japan's JAXA had jointly launched the Asia-Pacific 'disaster monitoring' programme, which would make available the information to the effected countries.

The ISRO along with other space agencies would cooperate with the African countries to develop tehnology suitable to their geographical conditions in future.

UNI