ISRO making a 40-storey high rocket to carry 75,000 kg payload to orbit: Chairman Narayanan

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman V Narayanan on Tuesday said the agency is developing a rocket as tall as a 40-storey building, designed to carry 75,000 kg payloads into low earth orbit.

Speaking at the convocation ceremony of Osmania University, Narayanan outlined the upcoming projects, including the NAVIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation) satellite, the N1 rocket, and the launch of a 6,500 kg communication satellite of the USA using Indian launch vehicles.

“You know, what is the capacity of the rocket? The first launcher, (Dr APJ) Abdul Kalam ji, which he built was a 17 tonne lift-off mass, capable of placing 35 kg in low earth orbit. Today, we are conceiving a rocket to place 75,000 kg in low earth orbit. The rocket is of 40-storey building height,” PTI quoted him as saying.


He added that ISRO also plans to launch the Technology Demonstration Satellite (TDS) and GSAT-7R, a military communication satellite for the Indian Navy that will replace GSAT-7 (Rukmini), within this year.

Currently, India has 55 satellites in orbit. “The number is going to be increased to three times in another three to four years,” Narayanan said.

During the event, Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma conferred an honorary Doctorate of Science on Narayanan in recognition of his contributions to India’s space programme.