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, space sector reforms have unlocked India’s commercial potential in space.

NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) is responsible for carrying out end-to-end commercial space business on a demand driven approach and has the mandate to enhance the participation of Indian Industries in space related activities.

The achievements of the NSIL are as follows:

  • NSIL undertook its first demand driven communication satellite mission named GSAT-N1 (GSAT-24) for meeting direct-to-home (DTH) needs. The satellite was successfully launched on June 23, 2022, and it has commenced its operational services.
  • NSIL undertook its second demand driven communication satellite mission, GSAT-N2 (GSAT-20), for meeting broadband service needs. The satellite was successfully launched on November 19, 2024, and the satellite is presently undergoing in-orbit testing and commissioning operations.
  • As on date, NSIL has successfully launched of 124 International and three Indian customer satellites on-board namely PSLV, LVM3 and SSLV.
  • It is currently owning/operating 15 in-orbit communication satellites and providing space-based services to various Indian users for meeting their DTH, very small aperture terminal (VSAT), TV, digital satellite news gathering (DSNG), in-flight and maritime connectivity (IFMC), broadband and other applications need.
  • NSIL has been disseminating earth observation satellite data to global customers since May 2023.
  • As part of mission support services, it has provided 11 launch vehicle tracking supports and nine launch and early orbit phase (LEOP) and telemetry tracking and command (TTC) supports to Indian and International customers including one deep space mission support.
  • Towards transfer of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) developed technologies to Indian industry, NSIL has signed 75 technology transfer agreements.
  • It is closely working with Indian and global customers to build communication and earth observation satellites for meeting their service needs.
  • NSIL is a profit-making company with profits before tax standing at Rs 0.68 billion, Rs 2.12 billion, Rs 4.59 billion, Rs 6.16 billion and Rs 8.03 billion in financial year 2019-20 (FY20), FY21, FY22, FY23 and FY24 respectively.

Dr Singh informed that NSIL will be undertaking its third demand driven communication satellite mission, GSAT-N3, for meeting short-wavelength band (S-Band) communication needs of Indian governmental users. GSAT-N3 satellite is proposed to be launched during first quarter (Q1) of 2026.

In addition, NSIL signed contract with M/s HAL (Lead Partner of M/s HAL and L&T consortia) for end-to-end production of five Nos. of polar satellite launch vehicle (PSLV). The first fully Indian Industry manufactured PSLV is envisaged to be launched during Q2 of 2025.

Dr Singh shared that in the coming years, NSIL would strive to further expand its commercial space business in all domains including in the area of building satellites and launch vehicles; providing launch services; establishing ground segment; providing space-based services using communication and earth observation satellites; mission support services and transfer of ISRO developed technologies to Indian industries. Some of the major business projects that NSIL is envisaging is building several communication satellites on demand driven model, exploring strategies to realise LVM3 rockets through Indian Industry under public-private partnership (PPP) mode to commercially exploit the emerging global launch service market, enabling private Indian industries in building several earth observation satellites etc.

Commenting on the announcement, Dr Singh said, “It has enabled NSIL to undertake missions in a demand driven model for effective commercial exploitation. In addition, efforts of NSIL to build operational launch vehicles of ISRO viz., PSLV, LVM3 and SSLV through Indian Industry would further boost the Indian Industrial sector to grow to the level wherein Indian industry could end-to-end manufacture rockets.”

He further added that efforts of NSIL to transfer ISRO developed technologies to private players would help in enriching the space ecosystem in the country and raise India’s share in the commercial global space market.