New Delhi, Sept. 10 -- The likely retirement of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle-Mk II (GSLV-Mk II) offers an interesting lesson for India's plans to bring private industry into the launch vehicle business.

Unlike the PSLV and LVM3, GSLV-Mk II has not been offered to private players for technology transfer or productionisation. A retired top ISRO official said the GSLV-Mk II is expected to be retired after completing its approved missions.

The reason is not that the rocket has suddenly become incapable of flying. Rather, its cost and complexity make it increasingly difficult to justify keeping it in service when the more capable LVM3 can take over missions in its class.

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