In a significant step for India’s space industry, the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe) has transferred 10 advanced technologies developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to six Indian companies. This event took place at the IN-SPACe headquarters in Ahmedabad, where tripartite Technology Transfer Agreements (TTAs) were signed between IN-SPACe, NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), and the recipient industries.
The aim of this technology transfer is to give private companies access to ISRO’s developed technologies. This will enable them to use space-related technologies for commercial purposes across various sectors. Additionally, it seeks to enhance industrial participation, promote indigenization, and reduce dependency on foreign technology in key areas such as satellite launches, ground station infrastructure, and geospatial applications.
Dr. Pawan Goenka, Chairman of IN-SPACe, praised the active role of Indian industries. He stated that this technology transfer is a crucial step towards empowering the private sector to acquire and commercialize space technologies. ISRO possesses a rich repository of research and development in space technologies, and now is the time to maximize its use to strengthen India’s space industrial ecosystem. Innovation under industry leadership will play a major role.
While signing the agreements, Mr. Rajiv Jyoti, Director of the Technical Directorate at IN-SPACe, highlighted the importance of these technologies, many of which are currently sourced from foreign suppliers. With this transfer, we are taking a significant step towards building indigenous capabilities in India.
Among the technologies transferred are two advanced inertial sensors developed by ISRO’s Inertial Systems Unit for potential use in satellite launch vehicles. These include a laser gyroscope and a ceramic servo accelerometer. Hyderabad’s M/s Zetatek Technologies Private Limited, with over 25 years of experience in inertial navigation system (INS) testing, calibration, and QA/QT equipment, is the first Indian company to receive such unique technology.
In the midstream segment, three technologies related to ground station operations, such as S/X/Ka tri-band dual circular polarized monopulse feeds and tri-axis antenna control servo systems, were transferred to M/s Avantel and M/s Jishnu Communications. Both companies, based in Hyderabad, specialize in end-to-end communications solutions for space and defense platforms. These technologies, currently imported from foreign firms, will help them become self-reliant in critical ground station infrastructure.
Regarding downstream applications, two geospatial models developed by SAC/ISRO for pest forecasting and semi-physical crop yield estimation were transferred to Ahmedabad’s M/s Emnex Info Technologies. These will be used for decision-making in agriculture and crop protection. Another technology, a compact, multi-parameter, portable bathymetric system developed by NRSC/ISRO, was transferred to M/s Jalakruti Water Solutions Private Limited in Ahmedabad, enabling UAV-based integration for water resource monitoring.
Furthermore, a ceramic-based flame-proof coating technology developed by VSSC/ISRO for original launch vehicle applications has been handed over to Ahmedabad’s M/s Ramdev Chemicals for use in various industrial applications.
This technology transfer marks a significant milestone in India’s journey towards becoming a self-reliant space power. By empowering private industries with ISRO’s advanced technologies, India aims to foster innovation and strengthen its position in the global space market. The collaboration between ISRO, IN-SPACe, and the private sector is expected to lead to significant advancements in space technology applications, benefiting various sectors and ultimately the economy of India.
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