Isro to launch more satellites to boost rural internet connectivity under Digital India project

GSLV-Mk-III lifts off on its first experimental suborbital mission from Sriharikota on December 18, 2014. (File Photo)

The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) will launch four more satellites to boost rural internet connectivity under the Digital India project, the space agency’s chairman said on Monday.

Similarly, the moon mission ‘Chandrayaan-2’ is also on track and will be launched by the end of this year, chairman K Sivan added. At present, two communication satellites GSAT 20 and GSAT 11 are getting ready for their launch, he said.

Commenting about the recent Rs 10,400 crore budget allocation by the centre, Sivan said the funds will help Isro boost the local economy and create jobs for more than 10,000 people.

He added that the agency plans to manufacture 30 indigenous and 10 high end GSLV rockets over the next four years.

“The Centre has allocated massive funds for Isro to aid satellite updates for farmers and fishermen and we are on the job”, he said.

He added that seven hundred units of equipment required to tap the satellite inputs are ready.

Of these, 500 sets will be given fishermen in Kerala and 200 will go to fishermen in Tamil Nadu, he added.

“We are waiting the for the fishing ban period to end and the equipment sets will be handed over to local governments shortly,” he added.

According to Isro sources, the new equipment sets to be given to fishermen will help them locate fish and also will also warn them about the tough sea conditions.