Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) issues Expression of Interest for PSLV technology transfer to private sector

Key facts

• The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) has issued an Expression of Interest (EoI) for transferring Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) technology to private sector firms.
• Only companies that are majority-owned and controlled by Indian entities will be eligible to participate in the PSLV technology transfer programme.
• The move aims to boost production of Indian rockets as the country seeks to become a hub for small satellite launches.
• The PSLV has a record of more than 60 launches without failure, though two consecutive missions to the moon and Mars failed in the past year.
• Since Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened the space industry to the private sector in 2019, hundreds of space-related startups have emerged, and Jio Platforms Ltd. has announced plans to build a satellite constellation.