Isro Invites Bids For Gslv Launch Pad

The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) has invited global tenders for the construction of its first geostationary launcher-class launch pad at Sriharikota island, 70 km from Chennai.

The launch pad will make the Sriharikota facility, which presently launches small polar satellite-class rockets, one of the worlds important spaceports after Cape Canaveral (US), Baikonur (Ukraine), Kourou (French Guyana) and Guangzhou (China).

The estimated Rs 200 crore launch pad will include an umblical tower (to hold the rocket in a vertical position), control station and support systems.

Isro is separately augmenting its communication facilities for rocket tracking.

The launcher is expected to be ready by 1999-end, in time for launching Isros first Geostationary Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) for placing large communication satellites weighing around 2.5 tonnes in orbit. So far, Isros has proven capability in placing 1.2 tonne-class satellites in orbit.

 

Isro sources said the bids will be closed by March and tenders for either the whole project or its three individual components are likely to be allotted in May. Work is expected to finish in the next financial year. With two launch pads, Isro will begin soliciting for launching business and the idea is to have launchings every two months. Starting with three launches a year, Isro plans to optimise at six or eight launches. While half of them will be for Indian satellites, the others will be for foreign clients. The anticipated revenue per geostationary satellite launch is $50 million.

After the construction of the launch pad, Isro expects to get a bite into the business that goes to China for launching large communication satellites. By offering prices much below US, European and Russian rates, China has bagged about 25 per cent of the world satellite launching business estimated at $2.5 billion.

Russia is expected to deliver its first cryogenic engine by the year-end. This engine will power the upper stage of the maiden GSLV flight. Thereafter, Russia is expected to hand over six engines over a three year period. Isro sources maintain that the Russian delivery program is on schedule despite US pressure on Russia to cancel the deal.

Isro plans to target South-East Asia for both building and launching communication satellites by offering a package price for both. Unlike India, China has only developed satellite launching capability and not satellite building expertise.