HAL to build small satellite launch vehicles
BENGALURU: New Space India Limited (NSIL) will launch its first small satellite launch vehicles (SSLV) in partnership with private firms in October 2025 and February 2026. After which 15 more will be launched subsequently.
Radhakrishnan Durairaj, CMD, NSIL, on Friday said these skilled launches are based on the business in hand and demand. Earlier India did not have the space and technology to launch the SSLVs and it had to be done from the launch pads of other countries, but now after the creation of the SSLV Module in LEO Experiment (SMILE) platform developed by ISRO and Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), the launches can be done unhindered.
The SMILE platform, inspired from the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module, is a cost-effective platform for space technologies.
Durairaj said they were aiming to the launch the 15 satellites will not overlap with the ongoing works that are being done with ISRO and HAL. These works had commenced before entering into agreements with HAL.
He added that the space sector and technologies have changed with satellites getting miniaturised and more constellations are coming up. India is now making its presence more prominent in the space sector.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
Indian Ham Radio Operator Will Connect With Astronaut Shubhashu Shukla
New Delhi: In a unique space to Earth Communications Bridge, India's orbiting Gaganyatri Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will hold a conversation with a special audience at ISRO's UR Rao Satellite Center in Bengaluru tomorrow. This dialogue possibly with students will not be done via a regular video link but by using the old-fashioned technology called HAM radio. In an age dominated by smartphones and social media, a century-old hobby continues to quietly shape the world of communication, science, and public service. Ham Radio, also known as Amateur Radio, is more than just a pastime - it's a global, technology-driven social network that has connected millions across continents, from students and astronauts to royalty and farmers. Often hailed as the "King of Hobbies," Ham Radio allows individuals to communicate wirelessly with others around the world using home-built transmitters and receivers. But its significance goes far beyond casual conversation. From the Titanic disaster to the recent Cyclone Fani, Ham Radio has played a vital role in emergency communication during natural calamities, often serving as the only lifeline when conventional networks fail. India is home to over 38,000 licensed Ham Radio operators, spanning diverse professions and age groups. Among them stands a towering figure, BA Subramani (call sign: VU2WMY), Station Director of ISRO's Upagrah Amateur Radio Club and Director of the Educational Outreach Programme at AMSAT India. His journey from a Space Simulation Engineer to a national leader in amateur satellite communication is a testament to the transformative power of this hobby. After a long career at India's space agency, he retired and now runs this Ham radio network as serious hobby. Astronaut Shukla will connect with the Indian audience at 3:47 pm India time and a select group of special invitees will be able to dialogue with Shukla. Subramani joined ISRO in 1984 and has since been instrumental in conducting space environmental simulation tests for landmark missions such as Chandrayaan-1, Mars Orbiter Mission, and Chandrayaan-2. His expertise spans spacecraft testing at subsystem, system, and full spacecraft levels, ensuring mission readiness under simulated space conditions. A licensed Radio Ham since 1986, Subramani holds an Advanced Grade license with the call sign VU2WMY. He is active across all amateur frequency bands and modes, including cutting-edge software-based digital modes. With over 10,000 radio contacts spanning 150 countries - including Antarctica - his reach is truly global. But Subramani's contributions extend far beyond personal achievements. He has played a pivotal role in the upkeep and operations of ISRO's Ham Radio station, and is a founding member of AMSAT-India, an organisation dedicated to designing and launching amateur satellites. His technical acumen has been crucial in configuring, testing, and evaluating HAMSAT payloads, and he has supported telemetry tracking for student-built satellites like STUDSAT, SRMSAT, JUGNU, and others. One of his most notable achievements includes activating the Amateur Radio APRS payload onboard the spent stage of the PSLV C45 rocket, showcasing how Ham Radio can be integrated into mainstream space missions. He has also provided emergency communication support during disasters such as the Latur earthquake, Odisha cyclones, and the 2004 tsunami, where he operated uninterrupted Ham Radio services for 16 days in Cuddalore. Subramani's passion for education is equally commendable. He is actively involved in establishing amateur satellite ground stations at schools and engineering colleges, training students and faculty in real-time satellite tracking, telemetry decoding, and space communication. His outreach includes over 175 lectures and hands-on workshops across India, covering topics like Short Wave Listening, Software Defined Radios (SDR), visual spotting of satellites, and life aboard the International Space Station. Ham Radio's relevance in today's digital age is profound. It offers a gateway to understanding electronics and communication technology, especially valuable for those from non-technical backgrounds. With simple equipment and free software, enthusiasts can receive real-time telemetry and payload data from satellites, track space objects, and even interact with astronauts aboard the ISS. As the world embraces space exploration and satellite technology, Ham Radio remains a powerful tool for education, innovation, and public service. And in India, BA Subramani stands as a beacon of what this hobby can achieve - bridging the gap between amateur passion and professional excellence, and inspiring a new generation to look to the skies not just with wonder, but with purpose. Subramani will make history when he speaks to Gaganyatri Shukla and is able to convey the excitement of how India reached the International Space Station.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
10 Isro technologies transferred to 6 private firms
PTI file photo BENGALURU: India's space regulator-cum-promoter Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre ( IN-SPACe ) Thursday said it has facilitated the transfer of ten state-of-the-art technologies developed by Isro to six Indian industries across the upstream, midstream, and downstream segments. In the upstream segment, two advanced inertial sensors — the Laser Gyroscope and Ceramic Servo Accelerometer — developed by Isro's Inertial Systems Unit have been transferred to Zetatek Technologies. For the midstream segment, three technologies related to ground station operations were transferred. 'These include: the S/X/Ka tri-band dual circular polarised monopulse feed, a tri-axis antenna control servo system, and the Ku/C/L and S Band Cassegrain feed. All developed by Isro, these were transferred to Avantel and Jisnu Communications, both Hyderabad-based firms specialising in communications solutions for space and defence,' IN-SPACe said. It added that these technologies will contribute to self-reliant development of critical ground station infrastructure. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo In the downstream domain, two geospatial technologies — pest forewarning and semi-physical crop yield estimation models developed by Isro's Space Applications Centre — were handed over to Amnex Info Technologies, Ahmedabad. These models will support agricultural decision-making and crop protection. 'A compact, multi-parameter portable bathymetry system developed by Isro's National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) was transferred to Jalkruti Water Solutions, Ahmedabad, for UAV-based water resource monitoring. Additionally, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre's ceramic-based flame-proof coating, originally developed for launch vehicles, was acquired by Ramdev Chemicals, also in Ahmedabad, for broader industrial use. All transfers were formalised through tripartite Technology Transfer Agreements (TTAs) signed between NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), the respective recipient firms, and IN-SPACe. IN-SPACe chairman Pawan Goenka said the move was a significant step in enabling private sector growth . 'Isro has a flourishing repository of R&D in space technologies and it is time we leverage that to the optimum to strengthen India's space industrial ecosystem. Industry-led innovation will play a key role,' he added. Rajeev Jyoti, director-technical, IN-SPACe, added that these technologies, previously imported, are now being indigenised.
Economic Times
5 hours ago
- Economic Times
Defence outshines all sectors with 35% rally in 2025: What's driving the surge and will it last?
Live Events Mutual fund inflows reflect rising retail interest Global momentum Outlook (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our ETMarkets WhatsApp channel India's defence sector has emerged as the strongest performer over the past six months, delivering a remarkable 34.82% return — far ahead of all other sectoral indices. While broader market benchmarks like the Nifty gained 5.49% during the same period, and sectors such as IT (-12.18%) and pharma (-6.43%) saw declines, defence has stood out as a clear winner.A large part of this rally has been driven by the strong performance of defence-focused public sector undertakings (PSUs) like Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL), Bharat Electronics (BEL), and Bharat Dynamics (BDL). These companies have reported healthy order books, consistent execution, and improved margins, supported by steady procurement from the Indian attribute this outperformance to increased investor confidence, driven by greater visibility into long-term orders, strong cash flows, and the ongoing re-rating of PSUs across sectors. With the Indian government prioritising indigenous defence manufacturing under initiatives like Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat, the outlook for domestic defence players remains to Sagar Shinde, VP of Research at Fisdom, 'PSU defence companies like HAL, BEL, and BDL have reported healthy order books, margin expansion, and earnings growth. Additionally, heightened geopolitical tensions have further increased interest in the sector, both domestically and globally.'The strong market performance in defence stocks has translated into impressive returns for mutual funds focused on the sector — particularly over the last three months. During this period, defence-based mutual fund schemes have delivered returns of up to 39%, with the category average standing at 36.98%.The Motilal Oswal Nifty India Defence ETF led the pack with a 38.58% gain, followed closely by Groww Nifty India Defence ETF FoF and Groww Nifty India Defence ETF, which returned 38.32% and 38.48%, respectively. The HDFC Defence Fund, the only actively managed scheme in the category, posted a return of 30.04%.The surge in returns reflects growing investor interest in the sector, aided by themes like self-reliance, modernisation, and defence exports . However, financial advisors have warned that sectoral funds can be volatile and are best suited for investors with a high-risk appetite and a long investment Palve of Anand Rathi Wealth cautioned, 'These sectors often experience cyclical performance and require timely entry and exit to capitalize on momentum, which can be difficult for most investors to navigate. Chasing current momentum in such sectors is not advisable.'The sector has also gained from developments on the global front. A recent NATO announcement to raise defence spending significantly over the next decade has been viewed as a major export opportunity for Indian manufacturers. Indian defence firms, many of which are now part of global supply chains, are expected to benefit as countries diversify their defence procurement target of reaching $5 billion in defence exports by 2025 has also improved long-term sentiment. Recent bilateral defence deals with countries in Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East point to a growing international the sector's rally is underpinned by strong fundamentals, analysts warn that valuations are stretched and the market may enter a phase of consolidation. 'The optimism around future order wins, export growth, and policy tailwinds may already be priced in,' said Palve. 'A phase of mean reversion would not be surprising.'As of mid-2025, the defence sector stands at the intersection of government policy, geopolitical developments, and investor optimism. Whether it can sustain this pace of growth will depend on continued execution and the ability to capitalise on both domestic and global opportunities.: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of the Economic Times)
