Wednesday, August 24 2005 18:35 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: The country's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) will set off three foreign satellites, including one for Indonesia and the other for Singapore, in the coming two years, Lok Sabha was informed today (August 24, 2005).

Three contracts have been signed for launch of foreign satellites using PSLV, Minister of State in Prime Minister's Office Prithviraj Chavan said in a writen reply in Lok Sabha.

Under an agreement between Antrix Corporation Limited (ACL), a commercial arm of Indian Space Research Organisation, and Indonesian agency, LAPAN, PSLV would be used to launch a microsatellite during 2005-06, he said.

There is also an agreement with Cosmos International, Germany for launching 350-kg AGILE satellite for Italy during 2006-07, and with Nanyang Technological University, Singapore for launching a microsatellite during 2006-07, he said.

He said ACL was marketing launch services using PSLV and Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) on commercial basis.