Flush with success, Isro on the lookout for more private partners

With its workhorse PSLV creating a niche for itself in the space industry across the globe, Isro is looking for greater participation of private players in joint ventures, a top official said today.[caption id="attachment_920673" align="alignleft" width="380"] The exhaust plume of India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSLV-C22 is seen after lift off: Babu/Reuters[/caption]"Over 400 industrial firms are already working with us. PSLV has created a niche for itself in the industry, which can carry over 1.5 tonnes. We have 12 missions in a year. We are looking for partnership from more private players," Isro Chairman K Radhakrishnan told reporters here.[embedalsosee]After India's first dedicated navigation satellite, IRNSS-1A-- was successfully launched on board the PSLV-C22 today, Radhakrishnan said, "This only proves that PSLV is an extremely reliable vehicle and with this flight, we are also entering into a new era of space application in the country that is the beginning of satellite navigation programme.""I am extremely happy to announce that we had another excellent flight of our PSLV vehicle. This is the 23rd successive successful flight of PSLV and the fourth successful flight of extended version of PSLV," he said.PTI