ISRO plans world record with 83 satellites on single rocket mission

All of the 83 satellites will be put into a single orbit.

The Indian space agency ISRO is planning for a world record by placing into orbit 83 satellites by using a single rocket. The plan for launching the 83 satellites on a single rocket mission is scheduled for early 2017. Of the 83 satellites, 81 will be from other countries while two will be from India.

According to Rakesh Sasibhushan, the chairman and MD at Antrix Corporation, ISRO plans to place into orbit almost 81 nano satellites by 2017, reports IANS. Antrix is a commercial arm of the ISRO. All of the 83 satellites will be put into a single orbit. The only major challenge for ISRO is to maintain the rocket’s orbit in the same position till all the satellites are ejected. Sasibhushan also said that ISRO will use the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle XL (PSLV-XL) rocker for the record launch.

This will not be a new task for ISRO as they have launched multiple satellites on single missions. The next mission will carry a total payload of 1,600Kg. ISRO did not name any clients whose satellites will be carried on the next mission, although he did say that some belonged to those whose satellites were put into orbit in the past.

ISRO is presently trying out some high-altitude tests using its own cryogenic engine, which is expected to power the heavier rocket Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle-MK III (GSLV Mk III). The rocket will have a capacity to carry 4 tonned of payload, and is scheduled for Jan 2017. The new rocket will be a boon for India in saving precious foreign exchange as the country presently is paying a hefty sum for heavier satellite launches through foreign space agencies. ISRO chairman AS Kiran Kumar also mentioned that ISRO is looking forward for 4-tonne communication satellites that will give the same output as a 6-tonner.