ADVANCED COMMUNICATION SATELLITE ON
THE CARDS
The
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)has embarked on a project
of fabricating and launching Advanced Communication Technology
Satellites (ACTS), under its high-tech. Modernization programme.
With the indigenous GSLV poised for second developmental flight
and to become operational in the next few years, the ACTS is programmed
for launch in the 11th Plan period.
Each ACTS, estimated
to cost about Rs.400 crore, it will have advanced payloads and
space-craft technologies, such as digital beam firming, multiple-beam
antenna arrays, beam switching and onboard processing payload
etc.
Meanwhile, the ISRO
plans to launch seven satellites in the INSAT-4 series. The transponder
capacity of this series has been worked out and by 2007, the INSAT
system will have about 250 transponders in various bands catering
to a variety of users. INSAT-4D will be kept as a spare satellite.
INSAT-4A is scheduled for launch during 2004-05, while 4B and
4C, in the following two years. By 2007 India should be in a position
to launch INSATs, with its own GSLV, currently undergoing developmental
test flights. Some of INSAT-4 series satellites could be launched
by our own indigenously developed GSLV.
