ISRO close to signing deals to launch three foreign satellites

BANGALORE, Aug 13: Indian Space Research Organisation is close to signing contracts for launching three foreign satellites on board its home-built Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) from Sriharikota spaceport.ISRO Chairman K Radhakrishnan said Antrix Corporation, the space agency�s marketing arm, is in advanced dialogue for three launch services contracts.�There are very serious discussions taking place for both dedicated launches and for the co-passenger missions. At least three I am aware of where people are seriously interested and discussions are taking place�, Radhakrishnan, also Secretary in the Department of Space and Chairman of Space Commission, told here.�They are expecting us to indicate whether we can do (the launches). So they want us to do it. When exactly they want it�, he said.Radhakrishnan also said Bangalore-headquartered ISRO would establish a Research and Development (R&D) complex in Karnataka�s Chitradurga district.�There (in Chitradurga) we are having about 540 acres of land. We are developing it into a complex for taking up R&D for the future�, he said.Noting that the proposed complex is going to be a �major asset�, Radhakrishnan said ISRO is looking at the next few decades with this initiative.�The new generation has to look at what all they have to do�.He termed NASA�s Mars mission as a �fantastic achievement� and an �engineering marvel�. (PTI)