With a huge number of such ongoing small satellite projects, Russia, with the availability of a large number of converted missiles, is in a position to log several such launches a year and corner a big share of the small satellite market. ISRO's turnaround time for launches has to reduce further if it has to take advantage of even this small market.

The big commercial launch market, however, lies in the replacement satellites for the various satellite constellation such as Iridium and Globalstar now in orbit and in the heavy communication satellites weighing four tonnes and more.

As regards the former, while PSLV does have the capability to launch these medium-sized communication satellites, US export controls under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) require that necessary clearances be obtained from the State Department if ISRO has to launch US-made satellites or even satellites with US components.

Negotiations have been going on for over three years now under the Indo-US Space Working Group, created as part of the Indo-US High Technology Cooperation Group (HTCG), to arrive at an agreement that would enable ISRO to launch US-made satellites.

With respect to the four-tonne-class communication satellites, even if the Working Group were to arrive at such an arrangement, ISRO is not yet technologically ready to make its entry into this market, which is currently the stronghold of the big players.