India plans to launch 2 communication satellites this year

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) Wednesday said it would launch two communication satellites this year to reduce the scarcity of transponders.

"We are going to launch GSAT-8 and GSAT-10 this year. These two satellites will reduce the scarcity of transponders and help us reduce the backlog," Director of ISRO Satellite Center T.K. Alex told the media in the southern city of Chennai.

Speaking at the backdrop of the 98th Indian Science Congress, Alex said that the ISRO has also been developing its own cryogenic engine and ground tests for the same will take place this year.

"There are some very particular issues and we will try to solve them this year and possibly we will come out of it. Then we will be out of the red. Next year our own GSLV should be able to carry satellites," he said. The ISRO official said that the agency also has plans to launch the RISAT, Resourcesat-2, Meghtropiques and Youthsat satellites this year.

Another communication satellite GSAT-12 will also be launched using a PSLV rocket sometime in the middle of the year, he added.

India's GSLV, carrying latest communications satellite GSAT-5P with 36 transponders, exploded minutes after blasting off from the southern spaceport of Sriharikota last month off the Bay of Bengal.

Source: Xinhua