Inching a step towards privatisation of India’s space ambitions, HAL has won the bid for ₹511 cr to take over the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) program from ISRO, facilitated by the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe). HAL has emerged as the bidder among three shortlisted contenders- including Adani-backed Alpha Design, and Bharat Dynamics Ltd.

With the Transfer of Technology (TOT), HAL will become the owner, operator, and marketer of the SSLV program, marking the first time a public-sector aerospace company will take full commercial and technical control of a launch vehicle developed by ISRO.

ISRO will provide two years of hand-holding to HAL, supporting with design guidance, sourcing support, and systems integration. After this period, HAL will have the authority to modify the design, choose suppliers, and assume full liability for the vehicle and its operations.

Commenting on the transfer, Pawan Goenka, Chairman, IN-SPACe, calls this a difficult tech transfer by ISRO, and marks a pivotal moment in India’s transformative commercial space segment, as this is one of the first instances of a space agency transferring complete launch vehicle technology to a company.

While over 20 companies had initially expressed interest in bidding for the SSLV. A two-stage selection process was adopted to identify an Indian entity with the infrastructure, technology absorption capacity, business plan, and implementation methodology to take the program forward.

Commenting on the commercial prospects of SSLV, Radhakrishnan Durairaj, CMD of NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL), said, “In addition to what we already have in India, I would expect around six to eight rockets per year to be a good starting point during this period, which could eventually scale up to over ten vehicles annually. The SSLV, which targets a 500 kg payload in a 350 km sun-synchronous orbit, is ideally suited for micro and nanosatellites that require precise, on-demand launches. Launch preparation and operations are highly conducive to quick turnaround times. From a manufacturing perspective, producing one to two rockets per month would be a practical and commercially viable approach for this launch platform.”

Earlier, in September 2022, HAL had bagged a ₹860 crore deal from NSIL to build five PSLV rockets.

Following the SSLV announcement, HAL shares rose 1.18 per cent to ₹4,960 on BSE on Friday.

Published on June 20, 2025