India’s Satellite Fleet Set To Triple, 40-Storey Rocket To Be Made To Launch 75,000 Kg Satellite Payload: ISRO Chairman V Narayanan

ISRO Chairman V Narayanan on Tuesday (19 August) announced that the agency is developing a rocket, as tall as a 40-storey building, designed to carry a 75,000 kg satellite into low earth orbit, NDTV reported.

Speaking at the convocation of Osmania University, where he was conferred an honorary Doctorate of Science by Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma, Narayanan highlighted how far India’s space programme has progressed since its early days.

"You know, what is the capacity of the rocket? The first launcher, (Dr APJ) Abdul Kalam ji, which he built, was a 17-tonne lift-off mass, capable of placing 35 kg in low earth orbit. Today, we are conceiving a rocket to place 75,000 kg in low earth orbit. The rocket is of a 40-storey building height," he said, as quoted by NDTV.

Narayanan outlined ISRO’s major projects lined up for this year, including the launch of a NAVIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation system) satellite, the new N1 rocket, and the placement of a 6,500 kg communication satellite of the United States using Indian launch vehicles.

The space agency also plans to launch the Technology Demonstration Satellite (TDS) and GSAT-7R, a military communication satellite designed for the Indian Navy to replace GSAT-7 (Rukmini).

Narayanan highlighted the rapid growth of India’s satellite fleet, pointing out that the country currently has 55 satellites in orbit. He said the number is expected to rise nearly threefold within the next three to four years.

The ISRO chief’s remarks underline the agency’s growing ambitions in both domestic and international space missions, with the next generation of rockets poised to significantly expand India’s capabilities in global space exploration and satellite deployment.

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