ISRO, Antrix to involve private sector in SSLV biz

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Antrix (commercial and marketing arm of ISRO) are to involve private sector majorly in ₹ 1500–2000-crore annual Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) business.

“SSLV’s launches will commence sometime mid-2019. We want to involve private sector from the beginning and will be offering them development and launches,” said K Sivan, Chairman ISRO.

Addressing a press conference to announce the 6th edition of Bangalore Space Expo, 2018, organised by Antrix and CII, Sivan said: “We have already worked with a few corporates like Godrej, L&T and HAC. We don’t see any hurdle involving the private sector.”

Rakesh Sasibhushan, CMD Antrix said: “Antrix is looking at 50/60 launches SSLVs a year and in the next 10 years, we see a business potential of ₹1500-2000 crore annually.”

He said: “Business-wise it is not rosy. It is a challenging task with core-competency the key. By partnering we, (Antrix) and private sector, will be creating one of the biggest manufacturing bases in the space sector. In SSLVs launches, there will be opportunities in building single-vehicle launches, propellant vehicles in large numbers.”

Space expo

The Bengaluru Space Expo (BSX) is a biennial event organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), in association with ISRO and Antrix Corporation Limited. The first edition of BSX was organised in the year 2008. The sixth edition, BSX-2018, is scheduled from September 6-8 at Bengaluru International Exhibition Centre (BIEC).

Vikram Kirloskar, Vice-President CII said: “The BSX was started with the intent to bring togther Indian industries, ISRO and various other stake holders in the space domain for common benefit of improving productivity and commerce.”