The Hindu : National : ISRO chief dismayed at China's anti-satellite tests

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Thursday, Apr 19, 2007
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National

National

ISRO chief dismayed at China's anti-satellite tests

Special Correspondent

"We will ask China not to do it again"

"There are already about 8,000 objects in outer space" Test has added to debris problem in outer space

NEW DELHI: Expressing dismay at the anti-satellite test conducted by China recently, Chairman of the Indian Satellite Research Organisation (ISRO), G. Madhavan Nair, said space scientists would ask their counterparts in China to avoid such tests.

Speaking to reporters here on Wednesday, he said, "The Chinese test has not been received well across the world. We are also not happy. We will ask China not to do it again in future."

Astronautical congress

He was addressing a press conference to announce an international astronautical congress to be held in Hyderabad from September 24 to 28.

He also noted that the international space community regarded outer space to be used only for peaceful purposes.

The Chinese test has also added to the debris problem in the outer space.

"There are already about 8,000 objects in outer space posing a threat to the space assets of various countries and the Chinese test has added 600 to 800 more pieces."

Executive Director of Antrix Corporation K.R. Sridhara Murthi said the Antrix Corporation/ ISRO alliance had recently bagged another contract for assembling a communication satellite from Avanti Screenmedia, a London-based satellite communication company.

As in the case of the contract with Paris-based EADS-Astrium, which was entered into earlier, ISRO would provide the satellite platform and assemble the satellite while Avanti Screenmedia would provide the transponders.

Launch in 2008

While the satellite being assembled in collaboration with EADS-Astrium would be launched in 2008, the one being built with Avanti Screenmedia would be launched in 2009.

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