ISRO plans to develop a new three stage variant of the PSLV to place satellites weighing less than 500kg into 400-500km low-earth orbit (LEO). Seen here PSLV-C9. Photo Credit: ISRODecember 03, 2008, (Sawf News) - ISRO plans to develop a new three stage variant of the PSLV to place satellites weighing less than 500kg into 400-500km low-earth orbit (LEO).
The new launcher will address a growing need for launching small satellites like the 300kg Israeli spy satellite, Tecsar, which ISRO launched in January, and the 352kg Italian astronomical satellite, Agile, which it launched in April 2007.
A low earth orbit allows a satellite to return to map a targeted region on earth at more frequent intervals.
"This (launcher) is for strategic reasons. There is also demand from international customers," said an ISRO official, who did not want to be named.
The new launcher is expected to take six months to develop.
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