“This is one of the first instances of a space agency transferring complete launch vehicle technology to a company. HAL will now have the capability to independently build, own and commercialise SSLV launches,” said Dr Pawan Goenka, Chairman of IN-SPACe, calling the agreement “pivotal” for India’s ambitions in the $44 billion global space economy.
The tender saw HAL beat out two other consortia led by Alpha Design Technologies (with Agnikul Cosmos and Walchand Industries) and Bharat Dynamics (partnering with Skyroot Aerospace, BHEL and Keltron), following a months-long technical and financial evaluation process.
Dr D.K. Sunil, CMD of HAL, said the company is committed to “phase-wise progression” and aims to “steer a cohesive ecosystem” for small satellite launches from Indian spaceports.
The SSLV technology transfer will be formalised through an agreement involving HAL, ISRO, NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL) and IN-SPACe. The deal includes extensive training and handholding by ISRO for the realisation and launch of two SSLVs over the next two years.
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“The system is multi-disciplinary in nature and will require rigorous training of HAL personnel at both ISRO and HAL sites,” said Rajeev Jyoti, Director, Technical Directorate at IN-SPACe.
Dr S. Unnikrishnan Nair, Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), noted that the move will strengthen India’s position in small satellite launches globally, offering cost efficiency and reliability to international customers.
At 2:53 PM, shares of HAL were trading at ₹4,962.90 on the NSE, up 1.24%.
