India plans to cut satellite launch cost in half with the heavy-lift rocket currently in development, a senior space department official said. India also plans a two-to-three fold increase in the number of spacecraft launches from this year, Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation, K Radhakrishnan, said.



The launch vehicle — the GSLV-Mk III — the ISRO is developing would reduces satellite launch cost at least by half. At present,each launch is pegged at around USD 20,000 per kilogram in cost, he said. GSLV-Mk III, which would have the capability to launch satellites of four ton class, nearly twice the mass the ISRO can currently carry to space, is expected to be operational in the next two to three years. Delivering the inaugural lecture of IIScAA (Indian Institute of Science Alumni Association), Radhakrishnan said India currently has 211 communication transponders, including 195 that are operational. (Source: Press Trust of india)