Thiruvananthapuram: For the first time in history, ISRO is all set to demonstrate its ability to launch six-ton satellites. India and Britain are set to jointly launch a large number of satellites in a plan that will pave the way for a major leap forward in India's space missions and commercial launches.
The country's most powerful rocket GSLV Mark Three and British company One Webb's 36 communication satellites will be launched together. The total weight of these satellites is six tons. The launch will take place on October 22 at 12.12 am at Satish Dhawan Centre, Sriharikota.
So far PSLV rockets have launched satellites weighing less than two tons. India has also built the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) to launch baby satellites weighing up to 500 kg.
According to ISRO, a launch capacity of at least six tons is essential for large missions such as human missions and interstellar missions. This capability was acquired decades ago by the United States, Russia, and more recently by China. Indian technology is less expensive. So, if the mission succeeds then India will get a good share of the world's commercial launches in the future.