Mumbai:
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is
building a digital multimedia broadcasting satellite
that would cater to wider communication requirements.
The new satellite, INSAT-4E, would cater to internet,
messaging and cellular services and rural connectivity,
its former chairman and Rajya Sabha member K Kasturirangan
said at the annual convention of the Bangalore Management
Association.
"This
is a very powerful satellite with extremely complex
instrumentation on board," Kasturirangan said.
ISRO
sources said the spacecraft, INSAT-4E, which is slated
to be launched on board GSLV during the second quarter
of 2008-09, will cover the whole of India through five
S-band spot beams using SXC and CXS transponders.
"The
C-band coverage for the feeder link will have India
coverage," an ISRO official said.
ISRO,
the country's premier space agency, said it is planning
to outsource more of its satellite and rocket development
work to the industry. ISRO, which is credited with putting
two satellites into orbit every year, is likely to rope
in more private companies to build satellites as the
demand increases.
"Since
our demand for satellites are going to multiply manifold
in the coming years, half a dozen satellites are to
be built for our own use, so it's essential we have
industry partnership," said ISRO chairman Madhavan
Nair.
ISRO,
which has so far outsourced some engines and components
for
rockets to private companies, said it is undeterred
despite the fact that the GSLV crash was caused by a
mechanical fault in an engine produced by a private
firm.
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