According to Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State for Prime Minister’s Office, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) has taken steps for establishing indigenous Earth Observation System through non-government entities (NGEs) under public private partnership (PPP). IN-SPACe is working towards technology transfer of Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) to NGEs.
The government collaborates with the private sector to advance space development, driving innovation, economic growth, and technology adoption. IN-SPACe, under its ‘Decadal Vision,’ promotes indigenous space products through Space Applications Adoption Workshops (SAAW), fostering awareness, collaboration, and real-world applications. Since September 2024, six workshops have targeted key sectors like north eastern region (NER), agriculture, defense, and disaster management and with state of Assam. These workshops, in partnership with the Indian space industry, showcase homegrown capabilities and expand the space economy.
NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), a central public sector enterprise (CPSE) under Department of Space and the Commercial arm of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has been engaging with private sector in various domains of space related activities, viz., launch vehicles, satellites, ground segment and applications.
In the area of satellite building, NSIL has onboarded Indian industries for building Earth Observation Satellites. In the area of ground segment and applications, NSIL as an implementing agency is realising and commissioning 0.1 million fishing vessel monitoring system as part of ‘Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana’ (PMMSY) Project through Indian industry.
Further, IN-SPACe has signed 75 transfer of technology (ToT) agreements as on December 12, 2024 with NGEs for space sector. Meanwhile, NSIL as on date signed about 78 Agreements with Indian industries for transfer of ISRO’s technologies.
In the area of launch vehicles, NSIL has signed a contract with HAL (lead partner of HAL and L&T Consortium) for end-to-end manufacturing of 5 units of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicles (PSLV). This is the first time that launch vehicle is being fully realised by Indian industry.
Furthermore, Indian industry has been the back bone for the space programme since its inception. Indian industry has reached a matured level of self-sufficiency to produce materials, components and sub-systems for both launch vehicle and satellites. Many products are successfully developed and realized through industries for the Indian space programme, which are used for launch vehicle, satellites, ground systems and applications area.
Evaluation credentials of private industry is carried out through established mechanisms like purchase order including technology developmental orders for various space systems of ISRO, Contract, memorandum of understanding (MoU) and technology transfer. Before engaging an industry, ISRO scrutinises their credibility and technical expertise with respect to requirements.
There is no specific service/ experience fixed for assessing the credibility of the industry. Depending upon the requirements, technical expertise, technical infrastructure/ laboratories, quality management, financial strength of the industry and similar products developed are assessed as part of techno-commercial evaluation. In certain cases, field assessment of the industry is also followed to understand their technical capability.
