New Space Company To Facilitate ISRO Tech Transfer To Industry

NEW DELHI: The Union Cabinet has approved the setting up of a new company under the department of space to commercially exploit the research and development work of Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro).

Isro chairman K Sivan told TOI, “The main objective of this new company will be to act as a mediator or link between Isro and the industry, and facilitate the transfer of Isro technologies to private companies. Till now, Isro had to directly engage with private companies and oversee the entire process of technology transfer.” He said the new company “will be set up under Department of Space and will be based in Bangalore. It will have a new CMD”. He said the role of this new company will be different from Antrix, Isro’s commercial arm, as the latter is only involved in commercial launches of foreign satellites.

The new company will commercially exploit Isro programmes like the small satellite, small satellite launch vehicle (SSLV) or mini-PSLV programme and polar satellite launch vehicle (PSLV). It will also facilitate the marketing of space-based products and spin-off technologies and products, both in India and abroad. The Isro chairman said, “We wanted a mechanism to transfer the technologies of our new projects like SSLV and even lithium-ion cells. With this company, Isro will be able to smoothly transfer these technologies after charging fees. Once companies start mass production of small satellites and launchers, Isro will be charging them for using its launch services.”

To ensure that companies do not compromise with the quality of space components, Sivan said, “Space law is being readied. The Cabinet will soon take it up for approval. This space law will define everything related to space components and services. It will also have provisions related to the accountability of manufacturers for its space components.”

The SSLV vehicle is a mini launcher which Isro has been developing for over a year. This mini-PSLV or SSLV can be assembled in 3-4 days as compared to 40 days for a normal-size rocket. Sivan said, “The first test of SSLV, which will be used to launch small satellites weighing less than 500 kg, is due in July-August. Once it is test-proven after the two test-flights, we have decided to transfer its technology to the industry.” Isro plans to carry two defence satellites of 120kg each during the first test-flight of SSLV.

Tuesday’s Cabinet decision will definitely encourage the private sector to indulge more in production of small launchers and satellites. Of late, Isro itself has been working on this direction. In fact, on January 11 this year, it had signed an MoU with its strategic partners Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd and L&T for production of industry-made PSLV.

Source: ToI

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