Isro lets industry make 27 satellites in their debut contract

BENGALURU: Building the road for the next chapter in Indian space programme, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) allowed two private industries and a government industries to make 27 satellites in the next three years, showing the industry readiness.

Only IRNSS-1H and IRNSS-1I, in the last year and earlier this year respectively, were assembled by the industry on a select basis. Alpha Design Technologies assembled these satellites.

The new contract will see the Alpha Design consortium which includes six SMEs- Newtech; Aidin; Aniara; DCX; Vinyas and Exseed Space- defence PSU Bharat Electronics Limited(BEL) and TATA advanced systems Limited will make three satellites each per annum for the next three years.

A source said, “The contract is for each of the three to make nine 1.6 tonne to 2-3 tonne satellites, based on requirement, which means they’ll make a total of nine every year, and 27 by the end of the three years.”

UR Rao Satellite Centre signed the contract on behalf of ISRO in a closed room with no media. But ISRO did not release any official statement on this deal.

“We signed similar agreements as the Tatas and BEL and I hope that creates the ecosystem to allow more industries in the future,” said Colonel HS Shankar, CMD, Alpha Design.

In Bengaluru at ISITE, these three firms will be working in a new facility created for private industry.

The contract also has an option of extending it for another two years implying 18 other satellites.