ISRO is planning to launch one rocket every month in 2018

With an aim to expand its space exploration outreach, India’s premier space agency, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), is aiming to launch at least one rocket every month from its spaceport in Sriharitkota, Andhra Pradesh, throughout 2018.

The development was confirmed by ISRO chairman AS Kiran Kumar.
Speaking to the media on sidelines of the inaugural ceremony of Gallery on Space Technology at Bengaluru’s Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum, Kumar said, “We are planning to have at least one launch mission a month in 2018 to deploy satellites in the earth’s orbit for various applications. For 2018-19 and 2019-20 financial years, we are looking to receive increased budgets from the country in view of the missions.”

In all likelihood, the first of these missions would be the Cartosat-2E remote-sensing spacecraft launch, along with 28 nano and micro-satellites, expected to take place early January, if it fails to meet its December-end launch deadline. Commenting on preparation for Chandrayan-2, Kumar said that the space agency is working in full swing to complete the satellite on schedule. Chandrayan-2 is expected to be launched in the first quarter of 2018.
The space agency is also expected to launch a 600kg spacecraft, developed by TeamIndus, for the Google Lunar XPRIZE, on its Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) by March 31, 2018.
TeamIndus is the only Indian team to have qualified as one of the five finalists for the $30-million Google Lunar XPRIZE. The XPRIZE competition is an initiative by Google to inspire and challenge entrepreneurs and engineers to work on robotic space exploration using low-cost methods. The ISRO chief said they were in discussions with TeamIndus for facilitating a smooth launch for their spacecraft.
Kumar also addressed a gathering of students at the inauguration, and said, “You’re at the prime moment where India as a country is surging ahead. India has got every potential to be the number one in the world, for which each of you must put in your best efforts. It is never too late to do anything in science and technology. We can always make a mark. When we put in our best efforts, no one can beat us.”