Buoyed with the high success rate achieved with its commercial launches, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has reportedly said it plans to step up its commercial activities in order to earn larger revenues, negotiating with certain countries that restrict the use of Indian launch vehicles.
ISRO Chairman, G Madhavan Nair, spoke to reporters after receiving the Ramomohan Puraskar 2008 in Kolkata last week and noted the organisation’s ambitious plans for the future.
Nair said, “Our domestic requirement is four to five launches per year and we are trying to increase commercial launches. We are favourably placed since our costs are about 80% of international launching costs. But some countries have restrictions on launching their satellites from other countries, as well as Indian launch vehicles. The technology which we use is applicable for dual purpose – hence some of these countries have reservations.”
His reference to dual use refers to launching satellites for military reasons, as well as civilian purposes.
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