In a groundbreaking move, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is poised to transfer the complete design of its Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) to a private enterprise. This marks a significant milestone as it is the first time a space agency anywhere in the world has relinquished control over an entire launch vehicle's design to the private sector. The initiative comes as part of India's broader strategy to bolster its space economy and foster active private sector involvement in space endeavors.
The journey towards this unprecedented transfer of technology (ToT) began in July when the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe), serving as the single-window nodal agency for enhancing India's space industry, released an Expression of Interest (EoI) soliciting Indian industries' participation in the SSLV technology transfer.
As of September 14, IN-SPACe Chairman Pawan Goenka revealed that a remarkable 23 companies have submitted applications for the SSLV ToT. Speaking at the International Conference on Space 2023, organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Mr. Goenka emphasized the extent of this transfer, stating, "With regard to SSLV’s ToT, we are transferring the launch vehicle lock, stock, and barrel, as they say, completely into the hands of the private sector. It is, perhaps, the first-ever example where a space agency anywhere in the world has transferred a full design of a launch vehicle to the private sector. We had 23 companies applying for the ToT, but we will be able to give it to only one company."
The deadline for proposal submissions in response to the EOI is September 25, with screening and identification of prospective bidders scheduled for October 30.
The SSLV, a versatile 3-stage launch vehicle, boasts the capability to launch satellites weighing approximately 500 kilograms into a 500-kilometer planar orbit. ISRO highlights several key attributes of the SSLV, including its cost-effectiveness, quick turnaround time, flexibility in accommodating multiple satellites, launch-on-demand feasibility, and minimal infrastructure requirements.
Mr. Goenka also acknowledged that recent achievements, such as the successful soft landing of Chandrayaan-3's lander on the Moon, have significantly raised expectations for ISRO and the entire Indian space ecosystem. He stated, "The last few weeks have been amazing, starting with the Chandrayaan-3 soft landing on the Moon, and Aditya L-1 launch, and the G-20 summit. With Chandrayaan-3, what we have achieved is extraordinary, which we have not seen in a long time and, in a sense, it has put in a lot more responsibility in the space sector. Now, the expectations from the Indian space sector are a lot more, not just from ISRO but from everyone in the space ecosystem."
IN-SPACe's overarching goal is to establish inclusive infrastructure for industries to facilitate advanced manufacturing processes. Mr. Goenka emphasized their commitment, stating, "We are trying to create plug-and-play infrastructure for industries. We are close to entering into a Memorandum of Understanding with one State and working with another State."
As India pushes the boundaries of space exploration and technology transfer, the world watches with keen interest, as this pioneering endeavor may set a new global precedent for private-sector involvement in space exploration and launch vehicle development. With the competition among 23 private firms heating up, the eventual recipient of the SSLV technology transfer will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of India's space industry.
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