In a brief function held this afternoon (October 30, 2002) at Antariksh
Bhavan, Bangalore, the Headquarters of ISRO, Dr V K Koshy, Chairman and
Managing Director, Bharat Electronics (BE) formally handed over the Invar
Filters to Dr K Kasturirangan, Chairman, ISRO. These Invar filters, which
are very sophisticated and precision components, are to be used in the
communication transponders of INSAT-3E and future spacecraft. The Invar
Filters are the first batch of space-qualified components produced by BE
under a contract with ISRO’s Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad, signed in
March 2000.
BE is also producing C-band and Ku-band receivers for ISRO’s communication
satellites, which involve the use of microwave integrated circuits and are
to be assembled under clean environment. ISRO has transferred the technology
for the Invar Filters and Receivers to BE besides training BE personnel in
their production. ISRO has funded BE for setting up specific facilities
required for producing space hardware in addition to allowing it to make use
of ISRO’s sophisticated facilities like the Electronic Beam Welding. Besides
satellite components, BE has also received orders from ISRO for the supply
of ground terminal equipment like Mobile Satellite Services reporting
terminals and L-band Demodulators.
It is expected that BE will supply space hardware worth about Rs 200 Crore
in the next five years.
Since its inception, ISRO has been striving to involve the Indian industries
in its space programme. With the substantial increase in the scope of the
space programme, both in terms of number of launch vehicles and satellites
being developed and launched by ISRO, the efforts to involve industry is
receiving further fillip. The ISRO efforts are now aimed at making the
industries graduate from supplying parts and components to supplying major
systems required by ISRO’s satellites and launch vehicles. Delivery of the
Invar Filters by BE today is the result of one such effort.
