ISRO Invites Pvt. firms to build PSLVs

In a major breakthrough of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Make in India's initiative, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has invited various Indian companies to manufacture and deliver five Polar Satellite Launch Vehicles (PSLVs).

The organisation which will be responsible for managing the entire process is the new commercial arm of the space agency, New Space India Limited (NSIL).

Confirmingthe same, Isro Chairman K Sivan quoted that presently, they had called for anEOI (expression of interest) and it is not open for any other foreign firm.ISRO has been considering this for a while. It would also boost theMake-in-India initiative of the government.

Itwill mark a major shift in the way of ISRO, which is now in its 50th year whichhas been working over decades.

Citingthe cost of one fully integrated PSLV launch vehicle, senior official from theVikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) quoted that the cost of PSLV is Rs 200,this means the value of the deal ISRO is offering private industry. It is to bebuilt five PSLVs- is atleast Rs 1000 crore.