The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is all set to launch 68 satellites in one mission in the beginning of 2017. Antrix, the commercial arm of ISRO has received fresh orders from various countries, including a dozen from PlanetiQ, a weather forecasting satellite firm based in the United States of America. In early 2017, Antrix will be sending the 68 satellites which will be nano in nature into the orbit. The earlier record of launching many satellites together was when Antrix successfully launched 20 satellites in a single mission in June.
ISRO has already launched 74 foreign satellites through Antrix in the last 15 years in its dependable workhorse the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). PSLV-C34 was used to launch satellites for countries like Belgium, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Israel and the US. It had a combined weight of 1,288 kg when launched from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.
Antrix is also all set to launch an earth observation satellite. “We also got an order to launch a heavier earth observation satellite from an overseas customer”, said Sasibhushan, Chairman and Managing Director of Antrix Corporation. The name of the country wanting to launch the satellite has not yet been disclosed.
The Satellites
- The 68 satellites will be smaller and nano satellites.
- The payloads will include instruments for experiments, image capturing, transmitting signals for communication, data generation, earth observation, weather conditions and remote sensing.
- The idea behind launching so many satellites is optimal utilisation of the rocket space which in turn will result in achieving economies of scale.
- As per Antrix, an estimated 2,500 satellites will be launched in the next decade.
- These satellites will be launched to meet the increased requirement of countries in areas like navigation, maritime, surveillance etc.
- Antrix plans to gear up to meet the increase in demand of launching satellites for various purposes.
