 Chennai:
It
surely rolls out much more sophisticated and fail-proof
vehicles than domestic automobile manufacturers, but the
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) now wants to
implement the auto manufacturer's practice of sourcing
fully-assembled component systems.
Says
R V Perumal, associate projects director, Vikram Sarabhai
Space Centre (VSSC), part of ISRO: "Today the vendors
supply us components and we assemble the same. But what
we are looking at is sourcing the fully-assembled systems."
But
tierisation of vendors in the Indian rocket industry is
a tricky aspect and will take some more time to achieve.
For, unlike car rockets are not mass produced, each satellite
launch vehicle is custom made and integrating electrical
and electronic systems and components is not just a plug-and-play
aspect.
ISRO
has just started thinking on this line and is yet to decide
which system it would like to source as a fully-assembled
component. Joining hands with the Confederation of Indian
Industry (CII), ISRO last year conducted a seminar on
utilising the industry's capabilities in India's space
programme.
According
to Perumal, ISRO would need at least nine months' lead
time to make a satellite launch vehicle. "Launch
vehicles are designed based on its payload. So we should
also get the payload specifications in advance."
K
R Sridharamurthi, executive director, Antrix Corporation,
ISRO's commercial arm, however, says the company is receiving
enquiries for the supply of remote-sensing satellites.
Perhaps a chance for mass production, applying the usual
industry practices.
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