SOURCE: AFI
S. Somanath, the chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has made a bold claim that ISRO’s medium-lift Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM-3) is already competitively priced compared to SpaceX’s offerings. In an interview with Reuters, Somanath stated, “If you are looking at a dedicated launch on LVM-3 and the SpaceX, if you get a quote, both will look alike.”
This assertion is significant for several reasons. First, it positions ISRO as a serious contender in the global commercial space launch market, which has been dominated by SpaceX in recent years. Second, it suggests that India’s space program has made significant strides in reducing costs and improving efficiency.
The LVM-3, also known as the Fat Boy, is a powerful launch vehicle capable of carrying heavy satellites into orbit. It has been successfully used for various missions, including Chandrayaan-2, India’s lunar exploration mission.
While SpaceX has been renowned for its innovative technologies and lower launch costs, Somanath’s statement indicates that ISRO is closing the gap. This could attract more commercial customers to ISRO, increasing its revenue and funding for future space missions.
However, it’s important to note that pricing is just one factor to consider when selecting a launch provider. Other factors such as reliability, launch frequency, and mission flexibility also play a crucial role. ISRO will need to continue demonstrating its capabilities and reliability to compete effectively with SpaceX and other players in the commercial space launch market.