In one of the largest commercial orders executed to date, in October 2022, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) launched 36 satellites of a private company, OneWeb, into low Earth orbit (LEO) via LVM-3 or GSLV-Mark III. , the newest addition to its fleet capable of lifting 10 tonnes of load. This was a major milestone in India’s ambitions to tap the $37 billion upstream space market (satellite/launch vehicle manufacturing, launch services and ground control system infrastructure/operations). In an exclusive interview, Somanath S.Chairman of ISRO and Space Commission and Secretary of Space Department Fortune India How ISRO will help the private sector build India’s space economy. Edited part:
Q. What does 36 satellite launches mean for India’s space economy and ISRO?
A. It’s an opportunity. A global phenomenon (increased interest in small LEO satellite constellations for communications) brought us the possibility of this launch. We were asked if we could handle it. We have shown our ability. We were able to grab this deal quickly and get government approvals on time. We also have long-term commitments for commercial exploitation (OneWeb is planning a mirror mission with the same number of satellites through ISRO). This gives us an opportunity to commercialize the GSLV-Mark III rocket. Now, along with PSLV, GSLV has also become a commercial service provider. This shows the changing atmosphere as we are going to see more Indian engagement in the global satellite constellation.
Countries like USA, China, Russia, European Union are in this business. Who are our competitors?
I wouldn’t call it a competition. These are opportunities. You cannot compete with anyone. You can’t compete with the US, you can’t compete with Europe. The question is whether there is an opportunity and whether we can seize it.
What are the business opportunities here?
ISRO is not a commercial organization. NSIL (New Space India Limited, the commercial arm of ISRO) is a business organization. For ISRO, such missions provide an opportunity to demonstrate capabilities. These are big commercial launches. France’s Arianespace is a commercial rocket launch company. We are doing this as a demonstration so that the industry can take it forward. We have given PSLV to industry. We will give LVM-3 to the industry. After a few launches, we (ISRO) will not do it (commercial launches). This will be done by art.
What are the interests of the industry?
They have been waiting for this opportunity for a long time. We are the ones to respond (slowly).
ISRO has a longstanding partnership with industry. It has been sourcing almost every component from private vendors for decades. What has changed now?
You are talking about manufacturing partnership. Handing over the system to them (private industry) and asking them to do it themselves is not the same. We have never allowed this before. They are based on our design. Now, we’ll hand it over to them and say it’s your baby, you handle it.
Will NSIL provide this facility?
Yes. NSIL is a partner in this process. They give production rights. ISRO has the expertise and knowledge to operate complex rockets. And the industry is only on the manufacturing side, not the design side. So, we (partnership facilitated by NSIL) will help them (private sector) to acquire manufacturing skills first and then gradually develop their design skills.
ISRO has exclusive rights. Are you slowly giving it up?
We are not leaving anything behind. We are making them (private sector) a part of us. Suppose you join me, you learn from me, would you call it quits? Industry continues to partner with ISRO and we are sharing information so that they grow as well. It is strengthening the Indian aerospace ecosystem. We are moving from protectionist to open minded. That is changing.
Commercial human space travel is something that private players in some countries are offering. Can ISRO do it?
We can, but it’s not our job. It is a work of art. ISRO is a national organization. ISRO can develop technology. But the practice of government funding ISRO for technology development is about to stop. If any technology is required, it will be developed by ISRO and industry through government-industry funding. So now the industry needs to invest in technology development. They have to do some research and development and develop technology.
These are dual use technologies. What will be the contribution of such partnership to the development of defense technology?
It is not something to discuss. You already understand that space is an important area for defense. We are dealing with different categories of people. The Defense Space Agency will look into that direction. Commercial partnerships are for technologies for civilian use. Communication services exist for civil and defense use. The same is true for remote sensing and navigation services. We have all these powers. What I can discuss is industrial partnerships for civilian use.
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