Indigenous Companies Will Make Satellite Launch Rockets

Indigenous companies will make satellite launch rockets, BHEL, and two company groups have submitted tenders.

The Department of Space of the Central Government has decided to make two future-use rockets – GSLV-Mach III and SSLV – from indigenous private and public sector companies.

New Space India Limited (NSIL), the business arm of the department, had invited tenders in this regard.

Three company groups have given tenders to NSIL to make rockets. A decision on these tenders will be taken in two months.

After this, the manufacturing of supporting rockets to take the satellite to space will start in the private sector.

The three Indian industrial groups that have submitted tenders for manufacturing rockets are HAL-L&T, BEL-Adani-BEML, and BHEL.

These three company groups have expressed their desire to make PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle).

NSIL Chairman and Managing Director Radhakrishnan D have said that now the techno-commercial aspects of these tenders will be studied. This process will be completed in two months.

After this, the final selected proposal will be signed with the concerned company. The company selected for production will be responsible for manufacturing five PSLVs.

Subsequently, similar tenders will be sought for the production of GSLV-Mach III (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle).

The pre-construction process will be completed in 2021 itself. NSIL is also planning to develop SSLV (Small Satellite Vehicle) in collaboration with the private sector by the end of this year.

Radhakrishnan said, “We are eagerly waiting for the moment of the successful launch of SSLV in collaboration with the private sector.

The SSLV will be a three-stage solid fuel-based rocket. It will be capable of carrying a 500 kg satellite to a total altitude of 800 km.

Special instructions were given to security forces to thwart drone attacks, use pump-action guns.

The government has become alert after the drone attacks on the technical airport of Jammu Air Force.

Official sources said the security forces guarding important installations, airports, and camps in the country have been directed to fire rubber bullets with pump-action guns to shoot down suspected drones.