L&T and HAL Eye Bids for ISRO's Privatized SSLV

28 Aug 2023 , 10:47 AM

Industry leaders Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) are reportedly considering bids for the privatization of ISRO’s Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV). The SSLV, developed by ISRO, is a budget-friendly method to deploy satellites weighing up to 500 kg into low-earth orbit.

About 20 companies showed interest in bidding after Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the privatization initiative. India aims to increase its global satellite launch market share by fivefold within the next decade.

L&T and HAL, already engaged with ISRO, are set to deliver five Polar Satellite Launch Vehicles (PSLV) under existing contracts. ISRO plans to launch the space-based solar observatory, Aditya-L1, using the PSLV. This move follows ISRO’s successful landing of the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft on the moon’s south pole.

The bidding process marks a significant step toward opening the sector to private players and boosting India’s presence in the satellite launch market.

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