ISRO to conduct test flight of heavy capacity launcher by 2016: Expert

[Suman]

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is all set to conduct an experimental test flight of India’s future heavy capacity launcher, GSLV-Mark III, designed to carry satellites weighing around 4 tonnes by the end of 2016.This was stated by Dr BN Suresh, former Director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, during the launch ceremony of the Department of Aerospace Engineering at Chandigarh University.

Speaking on the topic, “Vision 2020: India’s bid to be an aerospace hub”, a national seminar organised by the University Department, Dr Suresh said ISRO was ranked among the top space agencies of the world.He said ISRO had successfully launched 29 foreign satellites of 19 countries that made India’s space research programme as one of the most successful that had earned foreign exchange for the country.

Answering the queries on the future of aerospace engineering in India, Dr Suresh said there was no dearth of career opportunities for youth who wanted to pursue a career in aerospace engineering as the Central Government was taking a keen interest and had enhanced the budget outlay for ISRO, which had touched $1.2 billion. A major chunk of the allocation was for space technology.Former Air Marshal KS Bhatia said India had built all its missile technology indigenously, which spoke volumes for the quality work that Indian scientists and engineers were capable of undertaking.