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ISRO links up with Singapore for six satellite launches

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is getting ready for the launch of six Singapore owned satellites. Along with this the cargo will include a 500 Kg space observatory in Mid-December this year.  The commercial arm of ISRO, Antrix Corporation Chairman and Managing Director, V.S. Hegde said,” The 500kg dedicated satellite (TeLOS-1) will be a commercial launch for Singapore Technologies Electronics Ltd while five other smaller satellites are from Singapore universities. Singapore has cloudy weather most of the year, the observatory satellite will be put in a sun-synchronous polar orbit 550km above the earth so that it could transmit signals round-the-clock, cloud disturbances not with standing.”

ISRO links up with Singapore for six satellite launches

India will use the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), which is the most trusted and reliable launch vehicle to deploy the satellites into a near equatorial orbit, inclined 15 degrees lower to the south of the equator. The PSLV is an expandable launch system which was developed by the Indian Space Research Organization. The vehicle allows India to launch its own Indian Remote Sensing satellites into Sun synchronous orbits. This is done to ensure that these satellites work round the clock and transmit uninterrupted signals. According to a subsidiary company, Satcam & Sensor Pte LTD, these satellites will be used for several purposes including monitor environment, disaster management, security purposes, maritime safety etc. PSLV has been an indispensable part in India’s space probes and was also used in the launch of Chandrayaan-1 and the Mars orbiter mission.

V.S, Hegde also mentioned that Antrix is in talks with many satellite manufacturers across the world for the PSLV and now GSLV, considering how successful GSLV has been in the recent times. He further added that there have been good responses to the GSLV and that the manufacturers from several countries in the US are bidding for our GSLV and there are good opportunities in the 2,000 to 2,200 kg class. As of now, the world faces a shortage of launches in 1,000-1,500 small to medium-sized satellites segment and space agencies will launch satellites in this segment in coming two year-three years. GSLV will be used widely for this purpose. Hegde assured that the space agency will look to fulfill the national demand first before venturing across the borders. Apart from these launches, India has also committed to launch a 900 Kg dedicated communication satellite for the German Space agency (GLR) from Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh in 2016.

Image Source: NDTV

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