Isro arm inks pact for launching satellites from UK, Singapore on-board PSLV

The launches are planned between 2014-end and 2015-end

Antrix Corporation Limited, the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organization (Isro), has signed agreements for launching satellites from UK and Singapore on-board Isro’s work-horse Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).

Isro said that the Corporation signed Launch Services Agreement with DMC International Imaging (DMCii), the wholly-owned subsidiary of Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL), United Kingdom (UK), for launch of three DMC-3 Earth Observation Satellites being built by SSTL, on-board Isro’s PSLV. Antrix also signed another Launch Services Agreement with ST Electronics (Satcom & Sensor Systems) Pte Ltd, Singapore, for launch of TeLEOS-1 Earth Observation Satellite, on-board PSLV. These launches are planned between 2014-end and 2015-end, said Isro.

Antrix said that it is expecting around 15 per cent growth in turnover as more countries are using Isro's infrastructure and expertise to launch satellites for their use.

V S Hegde, chairman and managing director, Antrix Corporation had said in 2012-13 that the Corporation clocked a revenue of Rs 1,300 crore and expects about 15 per cent growth in 2014-15. He said contracts were signed to launch large satellites for Germany, three for UK. Antrix is engaged in providing Space products and services to international customers worldwide. By using the launch services of Isro’s workhorse launch vehicle, PSLV, 31 satellites belonging to 17 countries have been launched on commercial terms during the last 10 years.

An important achievement of the last decade is realising two high power communication satellites, viz. W2M and HYLAS for European customers – contracts bagged by Antrix against tough competition.

Additionally, the data from Indian Remote sensing satellites are commercially disseminated to users globally. Antrix leases transponders of the INSAT system for commercial purpose. Antrix Corporation is a wholly owned Government of India Company under the administrative control of the Department of Space, Government of India.

Incorporated as a private limited company in September 1992, it has been a Marketing arm of Isro for promotion and commercial exploitation of space products, technical consultancy services and transfer of technologies developed by ISRO.