‘First industry built PSLV by 2020’ 

‘First industry built PSLV by 2020’ 

Context:

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing to hand over the entire gamut of launch vehicle manufacture to domestic industry by 2020.

Introduction:

• Till now, public and private industries have only supplied devices, components and sub-systems for ISRO’s launch vehicles, including the PSLV and the GSLV.
• ISRO already has a partnership with private industry to produce satellites.
• The IRNSS-1H communication satellite aboard the ill-fated PSLV C-39 was the first to be produced by a consortium of six companies.
• ISRO had a partnership with about 500 domestic industries for the supply of various components and devices.
• About 80% of the cost of launch vehicles and 40% of satellites are handled by these industries.
• ISRO had tightened tolerance to error following the failure of the PSLV –C39 mission.
• Reusable launch vehicles promise to bring down launch cost but pose a problem for industry due to lower demand.
• ISRO stress on need for industry to reduce the manufacturing and material cost without compromising on quality to bring down the launch cost.

About ISRO:

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is the space agency of India headquartered in the city of Bengaluru.
• Its vision is to “harness space technology for national development while pursuing space science research and planetary exploration.