An Overview of Commercial Satellites Launch Services by Antrix

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There is little dispute over the current dominance of commercial satellites launch services offered by the commercial wing of ISRO Antrix. Even the founders of the organization did not visualize such tremendous success of the Indian satellite launching service provider in the international field of commercial launching of satellites. Putting its first step in the arena of commercial satellites launch services back in May 1999 it has already provided services to over twenty countries across the globe.

A March from Indigenous to International Launching Services

Antrix started satellite launching of indigenous satellites in 1992 and took only 7 years to enter and mark its presence on international domain in 1999. And though the 50 plus satellites launching services in commercial domain have been performed by using PSLV or the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle they are now planning also to expand it to GSLV or Geosynchronous Satellites Launch Vehicle use further enhancing their ambits in the international world covering the low earth orbit launching of satellites.

Few Facts about Antrix

Antrix is the commercial wing of ISRO and has been successful in launching satellites for over 20 countries now that includes countries like Germany, Italy, Austria, Canada, France, Switzerland, UK, and USA among others. 15 launches have been successfully operated using PSLV satellites launch services provided by the Indian company. This commercial wing of ISRO was established in 1992 and is a fully Government of India controlled company. Administrative control of the entity rests with the Department of Space of Government of India. Over the last 18 years they have entered into a number of agreements with different international commercial organizations from divergent countries.

Commercializing the Indian Space Program

One of the major activities undertaken by Antrix is commercializing the products developed under the Indian Space Program by ISRO. It provides PSLV launch services for the customers and likely to expand to GSLV launch services in recent future. It provides communication satellite transponders for broadcasting as well as telecommunication services. In addition; it also provides data from the Indian Remote Sensing satellites besides building and developing satellites for clients and marketing them. Antrix also provides subsystems as well as mission support services for satellites launching.

A Promising Future for Antrix and ISRO

It seems that ISRO and Antrix and its launching services are gaining ground in the commercial statellites industry. Especially the PSLV launch services provided have been quite successful. Proposal from international customers are flowing and discussions and considerations are going on. Best part of it is that satellite launching service provided by Antrix is cheaper than all others and they do not compromise with qualitative aspects either. No wonder that the international repute of the entity has been steadily growing.

Besides all these; the satellites launching services sector of ISRO for commercial world also provides great opportunities for people looking for work opportunities in space research sector in India and for budding scientists and engineers. Basic objective of Antrix is to build up a new healthy space ecosystem and fulfill the production requirements of ISRO besides taking a lead in the satellites launching industry.