Next launch in October; ISRO poised for strong comeback

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Indian Space Research Organisation is likely to resume satellite launches by October. ISRO sources indicated that the next launch will take place within two months. ISRO Chairman Dr V Narayanan had said at a public event in Chennai that the launch of the unmanned Gaganyaan spacecraft will be carried out by the end of this year.

Meanwhile, the International Space Station (ISS) has scheduled the GSLV Mark 2 launch for the third quarter of this year. The date has not been specified. The launch of a weather satellite on the European Space Agency's Ariane 5 rocket on August 27 and the launch of five nano satellites using the Spectrum rocket of Germany's Isar Aerospace have been listed for August, but the date has not been specified.

Only the launch of NASA's NGRST space telescope on the Falcon rocket on September 28 is scheduled. No Indian rocket is scheduled for August or September. Currently, the satellites NVS-03 and EOS-05 for navigation and defence purposes are prepared for launch. Gaganyaan and a test launch are also under consideration. The failure to obtain permission from the central government is a roadblock. The shocking mission failures on May 18 last year and January 12 this year led the central government to think twice before approving, as rumours also floated about a possible sabotage attempt. ISRO centres announced that they are ready to go ahead with the mission immediately if the central government gives the approval.