Claiming space

Private companies are transforming India's space economy

- BY ABHINAV SINGH

As Ananth Technologies in Hyderabad's Hi-Tech City comes into view, it instantly signals to visitors: big things are happening here.

At the entrance stand models of launch vehicles and satellites—markers of work that had largely remained out of the public eye. That changed during Operation Sin-door—debris at a Pakistani air force base had the following etched on it: Ananth Technologies Hyderabad-81, India Email: [e-mail] The company's logo—a satellite circling the earth—was only partially intact on the debris. But, as we enter the chambers of founder-chairman Subba Rao Pavuluri, it is there in all its glory. He left a 15-year career at Indian Space Research Organisation in 1992 to build something of his own.

"From the beginning, I have always believed that the nation needs to be self-reliant," he said. "[India's space policy reforms] clearly defined the roles of ISRO and the private sector.

ISRO focuses on R&D and exploring outer worlds and human space flight, etc. The private sector deals with operational programmes. The reforms (including the creation of IN-SPACE—Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre—in 2020 as a regulator and promoter) empowered private firms to grow by leaps and bounds."

Ananth Technologies has become one of ISRO's most significant private partners—contributing for launch vehicles, satellite development and data applications. For the SpaDex mission (end of 2024), which made India one of a small group of nations to prove docking technology, it developed 220kg twin satellites, and integrated and tested them at its Bengaluru facility. The facility's clean room—the largest in India's private sector—can simultaneously handle four satellites of up to 3,000kg each, with space for 100 technicians to work concurrently.