Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Wednesday signed the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) Technology Transfer Agreement in Bengaluru.
The agreement was signed by Jayakrishnan S, CEO (Bangalore Complex)-HAL, Dr A. Rajarajan, Director, VSSC, M. Mohan, Chairman, NSIL, and Mr Rajeev Jyoti, Director (Technical), IN-SPACe. The ceremony was attended by Dr D. K. Sunil, CMD, HAL, Dr V. Narayanan, Chairman, ISRO, Dr Pawan Kumar Goenka, Chairman, IN-SPACe, HAL Directors and senior scientists.
The SSLV is a three-stage launch vehicle designed to place satellites of up to 500 kg into Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Under the agreement, HAL will absorb the technology over the next two years, followed by a production phase lasting a decade.
The contract grants HAL a non-exclusive, non-transferable licence to the SSLV technology.
This includes access to comprehensive design, manufacturing, quality control, integration, launch operations and post-flight analysis documentation, along with training and technical support. HAL will be responsible for large-scale production of the SSLV to meet both domestic and international demand.
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Dr D. K. Sunil, CMD, HAL, said the company would work in close partnership with IN-SPACe, ISRO and NSIL to absorb, indigenise and commercialise the SSLV technology. “HAL will ensure the highest standards of quality and reliability in small satellite launch services,” he said.
He added that the SSLV would play a vital role in meeting the rising demand for launching small satellites for communication, earth observation, navigation and other applications.
“HAL’s efforts will not only enable indigenous manufacturing of SSLVs but also create new opportunities for Indian MSMEs, start-ups and the wider industrial ecosystem,” Sunil remarked.
Through this transfer, HAL will now have the authority to build, own and operate the launch vehicle. The move aligns with the company’s long-term strategy to establish a dedicated space vertical.
The agreement marks a significant step in HAL’s evolution from a component supplier to a full-scale launch service provider and a key player in the fast-growing global small satellite market.
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