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Indian Space Research Organisation has signed a deal,believed to be valued at around Rs 100 crore,to launch an 800 kg satellite of ASTRIUM SAS,a Company under EADS,France.
ISRO said in a statement a commercial launch services agreement between Antrix Corporation Limited (ANTRIX),its commercial arm,and ASTRIUM SAS,has been inked but gave no financial details of the deal.
But sources in the Bangalore-headquartered space agency said here the contract was worth around Rs 100 crore.
“Under this agreement,an advanced Remote Sensing satellite – SPOT-6- weighing nearly 800 kg,built by ASTRIUM SAS,will be launched on-board ISRO’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle,during the second half of 2012”,ISRO said.
Along with SPOT¿6 satellite,the PSLV,in its “core alone” configuration,will also carry other co-passenger payloads. This launch services deal signed between ANTRIX and ASTRIUM is a part of the long-term agreement signed between the two agencies in September 2008.
In November 2010,under a commercial contract between ANTRIX and ASTRIUM,an advanced communication satellite HYLAS was successfully built by ISRO and ASTRIUM together for a European customer.
“In the coming days,further collaboration possibilities between ANTRIX/ISRO and ASTRIUM would be explored,” ISRO added in the statement.
