India's Expanding Space Ambitions
India is significantly advancing its space ambitions with increased private sector collaborations and technology transfers.
Technology Transfer to Private Sector
- IN-SPACe announced the transfer of ISRO’s Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) technology to Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) for ₹511 crore.
- This marks ISRO's strategic shift by fully transferring launch vehicle technology to an industry player, aiming to make India a global hub for small satellite manufacturing and launches.
- HAL and L&T are already involved in the end-to-end manufacturing of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
- India plans to involve public sector entities in building ISRO’s new heavy-lift rocket, Launch Vehicle Mk III (LVM3).
- Discussions for industry partnerships are underway for the Next-Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV), which includes potential crewed missions and lunar landings.
Between 2015 and 2024, India earned $143 million and €272 million by launching 393 foreign satellites for 34 countries, using ISRO’s PSLV, LVM3, and SSLV.
Role of IN-SPACe
- IN-SPACe plays a pivotal role in identifying ISRO technologies for the private sector.
- The transfer of SSLV technology is a strategic initiative to position India as a global hub for launching small satellites in lower Earth orbit (LEO).
ISRO’s Legacy of Technology Transfer
- ISRO has a long history of civilian technology transfers, dating back to the 1970s and ’80s.
- Notable transfers include polyurethane foam technology for prosthetics, Beryllium X-Ray tubes, and biocompatible titanium heart pumps.
- Over 400 technologies have been transferred to around 235 industries, aiding growth in deep-tech sectors.
A New Era with IN-SPACe
- IN-SPACe was established in June 2020, boosting tech transfer momentum.
- IN-SPACe aims to build an indigenous Earth observation system through public-private partnerships (PPP).
- Since its inception, IN-SPACe has transferred around 93 technologies, primarily in upstream areas such as launch vehicles.
- The latest tech transfer in July involved ten ISRO-developed technologies to six Indian industries, covering upstream, midstream, and downstream segments.
IN-SPACe Chairman projects that India could soon launch around three rockets every two weeks, signifying the sector's rapid growth.