New company to market Isro technology spin-offs
20 Feb 2019
The union cabinet on Tuesday approved the setting up of a new company under the Department of Space (DoS), to commercially exploit the research and development work carried out by the various centres of the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) and constituent units of DOS.
The new company will be licensed by the DoS/Isro, which will in turn sub-license the technology and products to industries.
Private sector will thus actively collaborate with Isro in bringing to life new ideas and technologies, helping to market space-based products and services, including launch and applications.
The areas/avenues that provide opportunities for commercial exploitation of Isro programmes include:
- Small satellite technology transfer to industry;
- Poduction and marketing of space-based products and services, including launch and applications;
- Production of polar SLV;
- Production and marketing of space-based products and services, including launch and applications;
- Transfer of technology developed by Isro centers and constituent units of DoS;
- Marketing of some spin-off technologies and products, both in India and abroad; and
- Any other products/technology which the government deems fit.
Private sector and state-run companies are already manufacturing 80-90 per cent of work relating to launch vehicles and only, critical components are manufactured by Isro.
Isro hopes to integrate major suppliers into the system through joint ventures.
Isro had, on 11 January this year, signed an MoU with its strategic partners Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd and L&T for production of industry-made PSLV.
On the SSLV or min-PSLV project, Isro has been working for quite some time. This mini-PSLV can be assembled in 3-4 days as compared to 40 days for a normal-size rocket. The first test of SSLV, which will be used to launch small satellites weighing less than 500 kg, is due in June-July. Isro had plans to rope in private companies for its production. With the cabinet decision, the privatisation of the SSLV project will also get a boost.