Isro wants private players to take over rocket, satellite production by 2020

The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) wants private players to take over the responsibility for developing and manufacturing small rockets, Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) rockets and satellites from 2020. The private sector is expected to get orders worth ~90 billion in the next three years.

With the announcement of the human spaceflight programme by the prime minister, Isro will mostly be preoccupied with this, said K Sivan, chairman, on the the sidelines of the World Space Biz, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Antrix. The target for this project was set for four years.

Sivan said of the total value of a PSLV rocket, 85-90 per cent from private industry. “We are not happy, we want more participation and we want them to be our partner, not just suppliers,” said Sivan. He added that in the next three years, nearly 40 rockets would be needed, 30 PSLVs and 10 Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicles (GSLV).

The total production cost of these rockets would be around ~104 billion, of which ~90 billion will be incurred by the private industry.

Over the next three years, 59 satellites are expected to be launched, which include high-advance remote satellites, high-bandwidth satellites, among others. This will push the demand for PSLVs to two per month. Currently, Isro launches 67 PSLVs a year. The other demand would be for smaller rockets that will launch small satellites. These rockets will carry satellites up to 500-700 kg and can be placed at 500 km lower orbit.

These rockets are unique because it can be integrated in 72 hours and will be more autonomous.

Sivan estimate around 50-60 small rockets every year. While the government and Isro have opened the doors and have taken initiatives to boost participation of the private sector, it needs to gear up and should open for collaboration, participation and start investing in capacity, said H S Shankar, chairman and managing director at Alpha Design Technologies.

“Like in the past, we cannot complain that we don’t have volumes, besides domestic demand we can also cater to global market, which is huge,” said Shankar, whose company recently signed an agreement with Isro to assemble satellites.