Isro to industry: A giant leap

Isro's tech expertise has found wider uses. Now, IN-SPACE is driving deeper tech transfers to power the private sector's orbital lift-off

- SHINE JACOB

India's space ambitions are on an upward trajectory, and now private collaborations are propelling them further through transfer of technology.

Late last month, the Department of Space, through its nodal agency - the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACE) - announced the transfer of Indian Space Research Organisation's (Isro's) small satellite launch vehicle (SSLV) technology to Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) for ₹511 crore.

The landmark move was one of the first instances of the Indian space agency fully transferring a launch vehicle technology to an industry player. This signals a strategic shift in India's space programme as it aims to position itself as a global hub for small satellite manufacturing and launches.

This transfer is not happening in isolation.

HAL and L&T are already collaborating with Isro on the end-to-end manufacturing of the polar satellite launch vehicle (PSLV) - the first time an Indian launch vehicle is being completely realised by the industry.

Discussions are also underway to involve public sector entities in building Isro's new heavy-lift rocket, Launch Vehicle Mk III (LVM3) - an upgraded version of the GSLV Mk III. Unlike the supplier model adopted for PSLV, this move would see industry players owning the complete value chain.

Further ahead, India is planning industry partnerships for its Next-Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV), envisioned to enable advanced launch capabilities, including crewed missions and potential lunar landings.

The potential scale of this business is already evident.

Between 2015 and 2024, India earned foreign exchange revenues of $143 million and €272 million by launching 393 foreign satellites and three Indian customer satellites for 34 countries, using Isro's PSLV, LVM3, and SSLV. As the country sets its sights on building a $44 billion space economy by 2033, the commercial potential of its launch vehicles will be critical.