According to a Reuters report, Indian conglomerate Adani Group has been shortlisted as one of three finalists to take on private production of India’s Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV). The SSLV developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is a cost effective launch vehicle designed to strap satellites weighing up to 500 kg into a low-Earth orbit.
The move shall open the door to privatizing the production of SSLVs and is part of the Indian government’s larger strategy to expand its commercial space sector and gain a significant share in the global satellite launch market which is controlled mainly by private players such as SpaceX.
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The other contenders in the bid include state-backed enterprises Bharat Dynamics Limited and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. The company selected will roughly pay ISRO Rs 3 billion (approximately $30 million) for a license to the design, manufacturing processes and technical support of SSLV. This is part of India’s larger goal to increase its share of the space economy to $44 billion by 2030.
