ISRO seeks to enhance GSLV capacity to 10 tonnes

Eyeing to garner a significant share of the global satellite launch services market, India has initiated steps to build rockets that can carry ten tonne class spacecraft, five times its current capability.

India currently has launch vehicles capable of orbiting two-tonnes (2000 kg) class satellites.

Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation G Madhavan Nair said ISRO was working on cryogenic stage that would upgrade the capacity of home-grown Geosynchronous Launch Vehicle (GSLV).

India's space scientists have taken up GSLV-Mk III programme that's aimed at boosting the capability of GSLV's carrying capacity to up to four tonnes. GSLV-Mk III is expected to be operational by the turn of the current decade.

"Once GSLV-Mk III becomes operational, then you don't have to go outside for any launch", Nair told PTI here.

"By that time commercially we should be able to give a better option for others (those who want to use Indian rockets) to come and do that (launch)."

He added, "But at the same time, in the long run, we must be developing much more powerful rocket systems."