India’s first orbital launch is expected to happen in 2025 as start-ups like Skyroot and Agnikul complete their sub-orbital launches, said Lt Gen AK Bhatt (Retd), Director General of the Indian Space Association (IspA). Looking back at the year, Bhatt praised the public-private partnership model and anticipated private players to further spurn the space sector.

Particularly, he expect Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)to inviteprivate players to develop Small Satellite Launch Vehicles (SSLV) to drive competitive potential.

“The technology transfer for the launch vehicle to private players will create an interesting market for launch vehicles in India. We expect Pixxel to expand its satellite constellation with the ultimate aim of total 36 satellites in the low earth orbit. Another domain where the private sector will participate is earth stations, allowing players to have earth stations-as-a-service,” said Bhatt.

PPP model

Earlier this year, ISRO had invited private firms to apply for the end-to-end manufacturing of the Launch Vehicle Mark-III, used in Chandrayaan-2&3. Similarly, IN-SPACe called for initial bids from domestic companies for Earth Observation satellites.

“These initiatives mark the Centre’s push to become a key customer for India’s private space sector through a public-private partnership (PPP) model,” said the Director General adding that the growing demand for satellite-based data, particularly in North America, Europe, and Asia, creates immense scaling opportunities for India.

Aside from space developments, Bhatt also spoke about FASTag GPS, a satellite-based toll collection system piloted by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) to replace the current FASTag system on expressways, as a potentially revolutionary move.

Coming years pivotal

“The coming years will be pivotal for India’s space sector, with rapid advancements driven by strategic collaborations, cutting-edge technology, and the growing involvement of the private sector. With the right policies and continued innovation, India is poised to become a global leader in space exploration, satellite services, and applications that will benefit various industries, including agriculture, infrastructure, and defence,” he said.