ISRO to build path breaking rocket that can be assembled in just 3 days

New Delhi : Indian Space Research Organisation ( ISRO) is working on developing a small launch vehicle that can be assembled in just three days instead of normal 30-40 days for a normal size PSLV. It is also cost effective and can be built in one tenth of the total cost used in making a full size PSLV.

Dr K Sivan, director of Thiruvananthapuram-based Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC),on the sidelines of an international seminar on 'Indian Space Programme' told TOI, "Isro is busy developing a small launch vehicle which is likely to be ready for launch probably by 2018-end or early-2019. The cost of this vehicle will get drastically reduced by one-tenth of the manufacturing cost of a normal PSLV. However, this rocket will have the total payload capacity of 500 to 700 kg and can launch satellites only up to the polar sun-synchronous orbit or near-earth orbit (500-700 km in altitude)."

The development of small launch vehicle with a weight of just 100 tonnes as compared to 300 tonnes of the normal-sized launch vehicle can surely revolutionise the satellite launch system in the country.