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.