A new Indian government company will sell space technology to private players

• The Indian government has just given its approval to set up a new company under the Department of Space.
  
• The company will look at technology transfer as well as explore manufacturing opportunities with private players.
  
• The space industry was a part of the Narendra Modi government’s Vision 2030, during the announcement of the Interim Budget in February.

The space industry was part of the Narendra Modi government’s Vision 2030 announced during the recent interim budget.

Now, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) will be able to sell its research and development work to further enable private players in India, according to an official release.

The Indian government just gave its approval to set up a new company under the Department of Space to commercially exploit the research and development work carried out by ISRO and constituent units of DOS.

This will give ISRO the opportunity to also explore manufacturing of small satellite launch vehicle with private sector players, productionisation and marketing of space-based products and services including launch and applications.

Through the new company, ISRO will also look at the transfer of technology from its centres to private players for the latter to leverage on the same. According to official documents from the government of India, for technology transfer the new company will have to take license from DoS/ISRO and sub-license to industries.

This is a landmark move as it will allow private companies access to breakthrough technologies that have remained in ISRO’s domain.

ISRO has already been creating multiple hits in recent months. In late 2018, it put into orbit a whopping 31 satellites in one go and also expressed interest in working with private players.

In January, ISRO chief K Sivan announced that under the Gaganyaan mission, a three-member team will be sent to space which could also include a woman astronaut.

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