The Australian Government has entered into an $18 million Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), the commercial branch of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). This collaboration was announced in New Delhi by the Australian High Commissioner Philip Green. It includes the launch of the largest Australian satellite ever by Space Machines, an Australian company, using ISRO’s Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) in 2026. This payload will focus on satellite inspection and observation.
Rajat Kulshrestha, co-founder of Space Machines, expressed enthusiasm about this milestone project. On his part, ISRO Chairman S Somanath outlined the ambitious goal of achieving 20-30 SSLV launches annually, responding to the growing demand for small satellite launch capabilities.
During the Indian Space Congress 2024, Green highlighted that this partnership enhances Australia’s existing space alliances and marks a deepened commitment with India, enabling Australian satellites to launch from Indian territory. The venture will involve multiple stakeholders from India’s private space sector, including Ananth Technologies, which has previously provided components and services to ISRO.
The privatization of SSLV is underway, according to Pawan Goenka, chairman of the Indian National Space Promotion and Clearance Center (In-Space). Though the bidding process is ongoing with six potential bidders identified, the privatization aims to shift the manufacture and operation of SSLV to the private sector.
Somanath also touched on the broader goals of the Indian space economy, discussing the need for increased capacity to support missions beyond Earth, including a potential manned lunar mission by 2040. He emphasized the narrowing gap between India’s strategic and civil space sectors, beneficial for the space economy’s advancement.
The conference also set the stage for future collaboration, announcing joint space conferences with Australia in November to foster greater cooperation between the two nations in space endeavors.
This collaboration comes at a time when India’s commercial space sector is experiencing a slowdown in domestic demand. However, it represents a significant step in cross-border investment following the sector’s privatization in 2020. The Indian private space economy has attracted significant investment, notably led by Skyroot Aerospace based in Hyderabad.
This initiative by NSIL to manage the private space economy and use commercial technology demonstrates a significant shift, with industry stakeholders expecting NSIL to engage private vendors for future missions.
