Indian space agency (ISRO) is planning for a world record by putting into orbit 83 satellites—2 Indian and 81 foreign—on a single rocket in early 2017, an official at ANTRIX Corporation said.
According to ANTRIX Corporation MD Rakesh Sasibushan, all of the 83 satellites will be put into a single orbit. ISRO will use the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle XL (PSLV-XL) for the rocker launch.
ANTRIX Corporation is the commercial arm of the ISRO.
The historic mission will carry a total payload of 1,600 kg. ISRO declined to name any clients whose satellites will be carried on the next mission.
The only major challenge to ISRO is to maintain the rocket’s orbit in the same position till all the satellites are ejected.
ISRO is presently conducting high-altitude test with its own cryogenic engine that is expected to power the heavier rocket GSLV Mk III. The GSLV MK III is capable of carrying around 4 tonnes.
The space agency is also looking forward to develop four-tonne communication satellites which gave the output similar to six-tonne satellite.
