HYDERABAD: ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan on Tuesday announced that the space agency is developing a rocket as tall as a 40-storey building, capable of placing a 75,000 kg satellite into low earth orbit (LEO).
Delivering the convocation address at Osmania University, Narayanan said ISRO’s upcoming projects include the NAVIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation) satellite, the N1 rocket, and the launch of a 6,500 kg U.S. communication satellite aboard an Indian launcher.
Highlighting India’s progress, he recalled that the first rocket designed by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam had a lift-off mass of 17 tonnes and could carry just 35 kg to LEO. In contrast, ISRO is now planning a rocket capable of carrying 75,000 kg—comparable to the height of a 40-storey building.
This year, ISRO also plans to launch the Technology Demonstration Satellite (TDS) and GSAT-7R, a military communication satellite for the Indian Navy that will replace the existing GSAT-7 (Rukmini).
Currently, India has 55 satellites in orbit, a number Narayanan said will triple within the next 3–4 years.
At the event, Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma conferred an honorary Doctor of Science degree on Narayanan in recognition of his contributions to India’s space programme.
