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ISRO’s recent invitation to private firms to build India’s heaviest rocket, Launch Vehicle Mark-III (LVM3), marks a significant step towards greater participation of the private sector in the country’s space programme. This initiative is expected to strengthen India’s position in the international space market amidst a rapidly growing demand for satellite launches, as highlighted by experts interviewed by The Indian Express.
Highlights:
14-Year Collaboration : ISRO plans a 14-year partnership with a selected private entity for the manufacturing of LVM3.
Development Phase : The first two years will focus on transferring technology and know-how.
Annual Production : The private partner is expected to build four to six LVM3 rockets each year over the following 12 years.
Global Market Impact : The commercialisation of LVM3 is anticipated to increase India’s share in the global satellite launch market.
Focus on NGLV : The collaboration will enable ISRO to concentrate on developing the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV).
Timely Opportunity : The global shortage of heavy payload launch vehicles creates a unique market opportunity for India.
Expansion to SSLV and PSLV : ISRO is also inviting private firms to manufacture Small Satellite Launch Vehicles (SSLV) and Polar Satellite Launch Vehicles (PSLV).
Earlier this month, New Space India Limited (NSIL), ISRO’s commercial arm, called for applications from private firms for the “end-to-end” manufacturing of LVM3. Previously known as GSLV-MkIII, the LVM3 is ISRO’s most powerful rocket to date. It has successfully launched missions such as Chandrayaan-2 and Chandrayaan-3 and is capable of carrying up to 4-tonne satellites into geostationary orbit and up to 8-tonne satellites into lower earth orbits.
The proposed plan envisions a 14-year collaboration with the selected private entity. The first two years will focus on the “development phase” for transferring technology and know-how. Over the subsequent 12 years, the private partner is expected to manufacture four to six LVM3 rockets annually.
Lieutenant General Anil Kumar Bhatt (retd), director general of the Indian Space Association, expressed optimism about the commercialisation of LVM3. He believes this move will expand the array of launch vehicles offered by Indian companies in the global market, thereby increasing India’s share in the international space industry.
“With the commercialisation of LVM3, Indian companies will now have a wider array of launch vehicles to offer in the global market. It will increase the country’s share in the global market,” Lt Gen Bhatt told The Indian Express.
Furthermore, this collaboration will allow ISRO to concentrate on developing the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV), a larger launch vehicle integral to India’s plans for establishing its own space station and sending an Indian astronaut to the Moon.
Akshat Johri, assistant general manager of IIFCL, which assisted NSIL in finalising the commercialisation procedures, emphasized that this decision comes at a very opportune moment. The global market currently faces a shortage of significant heavy payload launch vehicles, creating a unique opportunity for India.
“As of now, Falcon 9 of SpaceX is the only significant launch vehicle taking heavy payloads to space. Chinese launch vehicles are busy with their country’s own missions, and Russian vehicles like Soyuz are not being used by many due to war-related sanctions. The Ariane Group (of Europe) is still testing its new Ariane 6 rocket, after having retired Ariane 5 in July last year, and JAXA of Japan has just finished testing its H3 rocket,” Johri explained.
Besides LVM3, ISRO is also encouraging private players to manufacture the recently developed Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) and its primary workhorse, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). The first privately manufactured PSLV is anticipated to take flight in August this year.
This strategic move not only aims to meet the increasing demand for satellite launches but also positions India to play a pivotal role in the global space industry. By involving private firms in manufacturing key launch vehicles, ISRO is paving the way for a robust and competitive space sector in India.
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