ISRO again depends on French Guiana for GSAT-24 launch, concerns over GSLV upper stage

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Although India has GSLV Mark III rocket capable of launching satellites weighing up to four tonnes, the country has again depended on French Guiana to launch large satellites. GSAT-24 satellite will be launched on June 22 by the European Space Agency's Ariane 5 rocket.

With the launch of the GSLV Mark III rocket, developed by ISRO in 2017, it was announced that it would no longer have to rely on other agencies for large-scale satellite launches. However, the change was prompted by concerns that the Upper Stage, the satellite carrier for the GSLV Mark III, had not proved its credibility.

If launched using GSLV, the cost is only Rs 364 crore. The cost of Ariane 5 is Rs 1373 crore. ISRO is the world's cheapest satellite launch agency. Sometimes even the United States relies on PSLV. The modified version of GSLV Mark III rocket is used for India's manned space program.

GSAT-24 is the first venture of News Space India Limited, the commercial wing of ISRO.