Jet Set to Space: HAL Bags Tech Transfer for ISRO’s SSLV

In a historic leap for India’s space industry, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)—best known for making fighter jets—has secured the full transfer of technology (ToT) for ISRO’s Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV). This marks the first time an Indian company will independently build, own, and commercialize a complete rocket system, setting the stage for a new era in private sector space launches.

 

Key Highlights:

 

•⁠  ⁠HAL won the ₹511 crore bid, outpacing rivals including an Adani-backed consortium, to become the sole manufacturer and operator of the SSLV—a low-cost, quick-assembly rocket designed to launch satellites up to 500 kg into low Earth orbit.

 

•⁠  ⁠The ToT agreement, involving ISRO, NSIL, and IN-SPACe, will see HAL receive extensive training and support from ISRO, with a mandate to build and launch at least two SSLVs in the next two years.

 

•⁠  ⁠The SSLV’s rapid turnaround and flexibility for multiple satellite launches position India to capture a larger share of the booming global small satellite market, expected to see 6–12 SSLV launches annually in coming years.

 

•⁠  ⁠This move is part of India’s broader space sector liberalization, encouraging private participation and aiming for a $44 billion space economy by 2033.

 

Outlook:

HAL’s entry into commercial rocketry is set to turbocharge India’s ambitions as a global hub for affordable, on-demand satellite launches. With the private sector now at the launchpad, India’s space economy is poised for unprecedented growth and innovation.

 

Source: India Today, Times of India, Rediff