HAL signs technology transfer agreement for SSLV

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and New Space India Limited (NSIL) have signed an agreement to transfer the technology for ISRO's newest and smallest operational orbital rocket, the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The SSLV is a three stage to orbit vehicle designed specifically to cater to the burgeoning demand for deploying microsatellites and nanosatellites. The rocket can be launched ISRO's operational spaceport in Sriharikota, as well as the second spaceport that is being constructed in Kulasekarapattinam, specifically for using the SSLV to deploy satellites in polar orbits. The SSLV can lift payloads up to 500 kg into Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The commercialisation of the SSLV is expected to boost the Indian space ecosystem. 

The agreement was signed by Jayakrishnan S, CEO of the Bengaluru Complex of HAL, A Rajarajan, Director of VSSC, M Mohan, CMD of NSIL and Rajeev Jyoti, Technical Director of IN-SPACe in the presence of DOS Secratary and ISRO Chairman V Narayanan IN-SPACe Chairman Pawan Kumar Goenka, HAL CMD DK Sunil along with senior officials from HAL, NSIL, ISRO and IN-SPACe. NSIL is the commercial arm of ISRO responsible for interfacing with private industry partners as well as international customers, while IN-SPACe is the single-window clearing agency for authorisations of all space operations from India, by both private and public players. 

ISRO intends to focus on what it does best, developing the core technologies, while spinning out the developed technologies to the industry, including private players. The SSLV was designed from the start to be outsourced to private industries. NSIL has been tasked with realising the launch of 15 SSLVs within a span of three years. Last year, ISRO convened a stakeholder meeting to explore avenues for privatising its mightiest rocket, the LVM3. NSIL has also signed a contract to outsource the manufacturing of five PSLVs to HAL and Larsen & Toubro. This is ISRO's workhorse rocket, with the first private PSLV expected to launch by the end of the year.