Article Posted on : - Aug 13, 2012

A file photo.

BANGALORE (PTI): Indian Space Research Organisation is close to signing contracts for the launch of three foreign satellites on board its home-built Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) from Sriharikota spaceport in Andhra Pradesh.

ISRO Chairman Dr. 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 PTI 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 the Bangalore-headquartered ISRO would establish a research and development 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".