India to lease satellite to meet airwaves demand

Monday, 11 July 2011, 16:01 IST
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Bangalore: India plans to lease a satellite or transponders to meet the growing demand for airwaves, though it has at its command over 250 transponders, the Indian space agency chief said. "Techno-commercial offer for the purpose has been floated," chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) K. Radhakrishnan said. The agency intends to lease transponders or a satellite itself in view of the growing demand for airwaves, he told reporters here. "A decision will be taken soon," he said. India has 175 transponders from its various satellites orbiting in space and has also leased another 80 from foreign satellites. ISRO is all set to launch GSAT-12 satellite, which will carry 12 transponders. It will be put into orbit July 15 by ISRO warhorse PSLV from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota near Chennai.
Source: IANS