New Delhi, June 21: The cabinet today approved the proposal for seven flights of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) in view of growing needs for remote sensing satellites. The total programme approved would have an estimated cost of Rs 679.59 crore with a foreign exchange component of Rs 175.89 crore, an official spokesman said. The approval has been given to the PSLV flights - C-7 to C-13, the spokesman said, adding the proposal has also been accepted for advance action for long lead items for subsequent two flights (C-14, C-15). Two launches per year in this timeframe are expected, he said adding it would ensure responses to request for launch service with minimum notice. India is one of the few countries which have acquired capabilities of developing launch vehicles to carry out polar Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO) and Geo-Synchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) missions.
The approval would help carry the programme further to keep up the self reliance in launching remote sensing satellites, take advance actions to ensure continuity at production facilities and sustain operational and potential commercial use of vehicles, he said.
Bureau Report