The Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), V Narayanan, announced on Tuesday that the agency is in the process of developing a rocket that will reach the height of a 40-storey building, with the capability to transport payloads of 75,000 kg into low earth orbit. Narayanan elaborated on the forthcoming projects, which include the NAVIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation) satellite, the N1 rocket, and the launch of a 6,500 kg communication satellite for the USA utilizing Indian launch vehicles. The initial launcher, constructed by (Dr APJ) Abdul Kalam ji, had a lift-off mass of 17 tonnes and was able to place 35 kg into low earth orbit. Presently, we are conceptualizing a rocket that can place 75,000 kg into low earth orbit. This rocket will be as tall as a 40-storey building. He further mentioned that ISRO intends to launch the Technology Demonstration Satellite (TDS) and GSAT-7R, a military communication satellite for the Indian Navy, which will take the place of GSAT-7 (Rukmini), within this year. At present, India has 55 satellites in orbit. “The number is expected to triple in the next three to four years,” Narayanan stated.
