The Hindu Business Line : ISRO planning to develop reusable spacecraft

THE Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has firmed up a design and development programme to launch a reusable spacecraft by 2005, which will propel it into the select group of countries such as the US, Russia and China to possess the capability.

The Rs 50-crore project would see the launch of a 500-kg, reusable spacecraft, `piggy backing' on the polar satellite launch vehicle (PSLV), according to Dr G. Madhavan Nair, Director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Thiruvananthapuram, a key institute under the ISRO.

Once launched into orbit, the spacecraft is expected to be stationed there for a month, during which two broad experiments on material processing and biological issues would be carried out. After which the spacecraft would be brought back to Earth and would be readied for use later, Dr Nair told newspersons at a news conference organised at the national symposium on strategic materials and technologies for composites by the Advanced Systems Laboratory (ASL), here on Friday.

The design of the spacecraft is ready and components are being fabricated. Some of the components are being made with the help of industries. The launch would establish the country's expertise in this key space technology. The project costs are quite low because India has launch vehicles and the entire technological and infrastructure ready, he said.

Referring to the commercial space market for launch vehicles, Dr Nair said the ISRO was in negotiations for the sale of the old launch vehicles such as the PSLV with some developing countries and a few in Europe as well. As for launch, the PSLV has put into orbit small satellites from Germany, Korea etc. and efforts are on to get more contracts in a tough market.

The geosynchronous satellite launch vehicle (GSLV), Mark-3 version, with the capability to launch up to 4 tonne payloads (satellites) would be ready for commercial launch soon and the costs of launch would be 15 per cent less than the existing one's now, the VSSC Director said.

Referring to the use of smart materials and light-weight composites, Dr Nair said the ISRO has a project to invest Rs 60 crore in the development and use of these materials.

The Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister, Dr V.K. Aatre, said an overall national investment of up to Rs 250 crore has been lined up under various development projects for smart materials. This included a Rs 75-crore mission project piloted by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) along with the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the private sector.

The DRDO has organised awareness programmes for the Indian industry on the applications.

Asked about the progress of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP), Dr Aatre said, ``Except Agni and Prithvi, there were technical problems with the other three — Trishul, Nag and Akash, which were being addressed".

"There is no question of abandoning any of the missiles", the DRDO Chief said while stating that Nag, the anti-battle tank missile was getting ready.

Dr R.N. Agarwal, Director of the Advanced Systems Laboratory and Project Director of Agni, said in the next three years, up to 80-85 percent of the missile body would be made of light-weight composites. At present, these materials constitute about 35 per cent. By increasing the composites percentage, the cost of the missile will come down, it would carry heavier payload and reach targets at longer distances.

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication

Stories in this Section
More confusion for WLL subscribers

Telecom dispute: What the dissenting member said

Ministry okays Prasar Bharati's DTH venture

ISRO planning to develop reusable spacecraft

OBUs: Banks see a profitable window here

Tribunal allows limited mobility — Cellular operators lose in 2:1 majority judgment

Cola majors take matter to courts