ISRO signs contract to build 2 satellites

Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has signed its first contract with an association of six companies for an industry-built spacecraft. The contract involves assembly, integration and also testing i.e. AIT of the two spare navigation satellites in 18 months. The contract was signed between M. Annadurai, the director of ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC) and the head of the consortium Alpha Design Technologies P Ltd. ISAC has been assembling communication, navigation and remote sensing satellites for India.

The consortium has plans to make more than 6 spacecrafts of 300-500 kg category in a year with an assured buyback from ISRO and also for export purposes. Alpha is basically a defence manufacturing contractor while other companies are medium-sized which supply components for various programmes to ISRO. ISAC will also train about 70 skilled personnel from these companies at its facility to build the first satellite which will be completed in next 9 months.

The consortium also plans to invest Rs.150 Crores over the next two years for building dedicated facilities near ISRO’s Spacecraft Integration Test Establishment (ISITE) near Marathhalli.