Space Sector Reforms have unlocked India’s Commercial Potential in Space

“Space sector reforms have unlocked India’s Commercial Potential in Space,” says Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions while answering an unstarred question in Rajya Sabha, today.

NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), a Public Sector Enterprise (PSE) under Department of Space and the commercial arm of ISRO incorporated during March 2019, 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 1st Demand Driven Communication satellite mission named GSAT-N1 [GSAT-24] for meeting Direct-To-Home (DTH) needs. The satellite was successfully launched on 23rd June 2022, and it has commenced its operational services.
• NSIL undertook its 2nd Demand Driven Communication satellite mission, GSAT-N2 [GSAT-20], for meeting Broadband service needs. The satellite was successfully launched on 19th November 2024 and the satellite is presently undergoing in-orbit testing and commissioning operations.
• As on date, NSIL has successfully launched of 124 International and 3 Indian customer satellites on-board PSLV, LVM3 and SSLV.
• NSIL is currently owning/ operating 15 in-orbit communication satellites and providing space-based services to various Indian users for meeting their DTH, VSAT, TV, DSNG, 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, NSIL has provided Eleven (11) Launch Vehicle Tracking Supports and Nine (9) 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 ISRO developed Technologies to Indian Industry, NSIL has signed 75 Technology Transfer Agreements.
• NSIL is closely working with Indian and global customers to build Communication and Earth Observation Satellites for meeting their service needs.

• Dr. Singh Informed that NSIL will be undertaking its 3rd Demand Driven Communication Satellite Mission, GSAT-N3, for meeting S-Band communication needs of Indian Governmental users. GSAT-N3 satellite is proposed to be launched during Q1 of 2026.

  NSIL signed contract with M/s HAL [Lead Partner of M/s HAL and L&T consortia] for End-to-End production of 5 Nos. of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). The 1st fully Indian Industry manufactured PSLV is envisaged to be launched during Q2 of 2025.

  Dr. Jitendra 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 PPP mode of partnership to commercially exploit the emerging global launch service market, enabling private Indian industries in building several earth observation satellites etc.

  Lauding the Space Sector Reforms announced by the Government during June 2020, as part of “Unlocking India’s potential in Space Sector”, 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. The Minister of State for Space, further stated 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.