HAL Secures ISRO’s SSLV Tech in Major Space Sector Shake-Up

In a historic development for India’s space industry, the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) has announced Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) as the recipient of the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) technology from ISRO. Emerging as the winning bidder among three shortlisted bidders, this transition marks one of the most comprehensive technology transfers from ISRO, facilitated by IN-SPACe, to an Indian commercial entity to date.

The process involved a rigorous eligibility and evaluation framework. After careful scrutiny, three technically qualified bidders were shortlisted: Alpha Design Technologies Ltd., Bengaluru (leading a consortium with Agnikul Cosmos & Walchand Industries Ltd.); Bharat Dynamics Ltd., Hyderabad (leading a consortium with Skyroot Aerospace, Keltron & BHEL); and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd., Bengaluru (applying independently, not as part of a consortium).

A thorough evaluation process was followed, with various technology and financial readiness levels under review. The process, which continued for several months, culminated in the financial bid evaluation, where HAL emerged as the highest bidder to acquire and operationalize SSLV technology.

On the milestone, Dr. Pawan Goenka, Chairman, IN-SPACe, said, “As India looks at realizing the $44 billion space economy earmarked for 2033, it is imperative to enable a robust public-private-partnership model. The SSLV technology transfer marks a pivotal moment in India’s transformative commercial space segment, as this is one of the first instances of a space agency transferring complete launch vehicle technology to a company. Under this technology transfer agreement, HAL will have the capability to independently build, own, and commercialize SSLV launches.”

The Technology Transfer Agreement will be signed among HAL, NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), ISRO, and IN-SPACe. The Agreement encompasses extensive training and handholding of HAL personnel by ISRO teams, both at ISRO and HAL facilities, for the realization and launch of two SSLVs in the next two years.

Mr. Rajeev Jyoti, Director, Technical Directorate, IN-SPACe, said, “The three bidders demonstrated a high level of technical competency to absorb the technology, and we appreciate the earnest effort put in by all three bidders in providing extensive documentation in support of the technical evaluation criteria. The launch vehicle system, being multi-disciplinary in nature, would require the winning entity – HAL – to undergo rigorous handholding and training under ISRO at both ISRO’s and the entity’s facilities. This is aimed at realizing the projected launch of two SSLVs from an Indian launch port. We’re looking at completing this entire process within two years from the date of signing the Technology Transfer Agreement.”

Shri Radhakrishnan Durairaj, CMD, NSIL, said, "We are pleased to be part of this SSLV technology transfer process that would enable HAL to develop this launch vehicle that would cater to launch on-demand needs of global small satellite customer needs. This collaboration marks a significant step towards strengthening India’s commercial satellite launch capabilities and more specifically in enabling Indian industry in realising this SSLV.”

On winning the bid, Dr. D.K. Sunil, Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), said, “In this milestone, India’s national ambition takes priority. We’re looking forward to working closely under ISRO and IN-SPACe’s guidance to progress in phases and realize the end objectives. We’re confident of steering a cohesive ecosystem that enables more small satellite launches from India’s ports.”

This development reinforces India's commitment to privatizing and democratizing access to space technology, empowering Indian industry to play a leading role in space manufacturing and increasing small satellite launches.

ISRO Launches Earth Observation Satellite EOS-08 by the SSLV

Indian Space agency, ISRO, has successfully launched the EOS-08 Earth Observation Satellite using the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV)-D3 at 9:17 hrs, on 16 August 2024, from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Shriharikota.

The EOS-08 satellite is designed for various applications, including satellite-based surveillance, disaster monitoring, environmental monitoring, and more. This mission marks the completion of the SSLV's development phase, paving the way for its future commercial use. With technology transfer, the Indian industry and NSIL India will now produce SSLV for commercial missions. 

The primary objectives of the EOS-08 mission include designing and developing a microsatellite, creating payload instruments compatible with the microsatellite bus, and incorporating new technologies required for future operational satellites.

The EOS-08 satellite represents a significant advancement over previous Earth observation satellites launched by ISRO.

 

EOS-08 is equipped with the Electro-Optical Infrared Payload (EOIR) and the Global Navigation Satellite System-Reflectometry payload (GNSS-R), which allow for high-resolution imaging in both the Mid-Wave IR (MIR) and Long-Wave IR (LWIR) bands12. This enhances its capabilities for day and night observations, unlike some earlier satellites that had more limited imaging capabilities

Built on the Microsat/IMS-1 bus, EOS-08 carries three payloads – 

1. Electro Optical Infrared Payload (EOIR),
2. Global Navigation Satellite System-Reflectometry payload (GNSS-R),
3. SiC UV Dosimeter. 

The EOIR payload is designed to capture images in the Mid-Wave IR (MIR) and Long-Wave IR (LWIR) bands, both during the day and night, for applications such as satellite-based surveillance, disaster monitoring, environmental monitoring, fire detection, volcanic activity observation, and industrial and power plant disaster monitoring.

The GNSS-R payload demonstrates the capability of using GNSS-R-based remote sensing for applications such as ocean surface wind analysis, soil moisture assessment, cryosphere studies over the Himalayan region, flood detection, and inland waterbody detection. Meanwhile, the SiC UV Dosimeter monitors U irradiance at the viewport of the Crew Module in the Gaganyaan Mission and serves as a high-dose alarm sensor for gamma radiation.

The spacecraft mission configuration is set to operate in a Circular Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at an altitude of 475 km with an inclination of 37.4°, and has a mission life of 1 year. The satellite has a mass of approximately 175.5 kg and generates power of around 420 W. It interfaces with the SSLV-D3 launch vehicle.

EOS-08 marks a significant advancement in satellite mainframe systems such as an Integrated Avionics system, known as the Communication, Baseband, Storage, and Positioning (CBSP) Package, which combines multiple functions into a single, efficient unit. This system is designed with cold redundant systems using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components and evaluation boards, supporting up to 400 Gb of data storage.

Additionally, the satellite includes a structural panel embedded with PCB, an embedded battery, a Micro-DGA (Dual Gimbal Antenna), an M-PAA (Phased Array Antenna), and a flexible solar panel, each serving as key components for onboard technology demonstration.

The satellite employs a miniaturized design in its Antenna Pointing Mechanisms, capable of achieving a rotational speed of 6 degrees per second and maintaining a pointing accuracy of ±1 degree. The miniaturized phased array antenna further enhances communication capabilities, while the flexible solar panel incorporates a foldable solar panel substrate, GFRP tube, and CFRP honeycomb rigid end panel, offering improved power generation and structural integrity. A pyrolytic graphite sheet diffuser plate, known for its high thermal conductivity of 350 W/mK, reduces mass and finds application in various satellite functions.

Furthermore, the EOS-08 mission adopts a new method of integrating housekeeping panels using a hinge-based fixture, significantly reducing the duration of the Assembly, Integration, and Testing (AIT) phase.

Incorporating additional novel schemes, the EOS-08 mission improves satellite technology through X-band data transmission, utilizing pulse shaping and Frequency Compensated Modulation (FCM) for X-Band data transmitters. The satellite’s battery management system employs SSTCR-based charging and bus regulation, sequentially including or excluding strings at a frequency of 6 Hz.

The mission’s indigenization effort is evident in its solar cell fabrication processes and the use of a Nano-Star Sensor for Microsat Applications. Additionally, the inertial system benefits from reaction wheel isolators that attenuate vibrations and a single antenna interface is utilized for TTC and SPS applications. Thermal management is enhanced using materials such as AFE BGA, Kintex FPGA, Germanium Black Kapton, and STAMET (Si-Al Alloy) Black Kapton to handle the thermal properties of COTS components.

The mission also incorporates an auto-launch pad initialization feature, further demonstrating its commitment to innovative mission management.

ISRO's Commercial Arm NSIL and Space Machines Company Ink Historic Launch Service Agreement for Next Optimus Spacecraft Onboard SSLV

NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) and Space Machines Company announce the signing of historic Launch Service Agreement for next Optimus spacecraft onboard Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV).

NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), a Govt. of India company under the Department of Space and the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)  and Space Machines Company, an Australian-Indian in-space servicing firm, have signed a landmark Dedicated Launch Service Agreement.

This pioneering collaboration sets the stage for the launch of Space Machines Company’s second Optimus spacecraft weighing 450kg, the largest Australian-designed and built spacecraft so far. Slated for a Dedicated launch on-board NSIL/ISRO’s Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) in 2026, this mission will mark a defining moment for both nations in the area of space collaboration.

At the India Space Congress 2024 held in Delhi, Rajat Kulshrestha, CEO and Co-Founder of Space Machines Company, and Mr Radhakrishnan Durairaj, Chairman and Managing Director of NSIL, formally announced the signing of the Launch Service Agreement.

“This collaboration with Space Machines Company exemplifies the spirit of international cooperation in space and highlights the strategic partnership between Australia and India,” said Mr Radhakrishnan Durairaj, NSIL Chairman and Managing Director. “As a Launch service provider for the Optimus spacecraft, we are not only fostering the growth of our respective space industries but also contributing to the sustainable exploration and utilisation of space.”

“The Space MAITRI mission and our collaboration with NewSpace India Limited represents a significant leap forward for Australia’s space industry. By combining our innovative spacecraft capabilities with India’s proven launch expertise, we are not only strengthening the ties between our nations’ space sectors but also demonstrating our shared commitment to sustainable space operations,” said Rajat Kulshrestha, CEO and Co-Founder of Space Machines Company.

This mission, named Space MAITRI मैत्री (Mission for Australia-India’s Technology, Research and Innovation), marks a significant milestone in the strategic partnership between Australia and India in the space domain, fostering closer ties between commercial, institutional, and governmental space organisations from both nations. By focusing on debris management and sustainability, the mission aligns with the core values and objectives of both countries, promoting responsible space operations and mitigating the growing threat of space debris.

Notably, SMC established a research and development office in Bangalore, India, close to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). This strategic move allows them to collaborate with Indian partners, including Ananth Technologies, across missions, integration, testing, tech developments, and supply chain.

Space Machines Company (SMC) was founded by Rajat Kulshrestha and George Freney in 2018. These visionary space machinists are on a mission to revolutionize the space economy by providing cost-effective and flexible transportation services for satellites.

The space company is building a future where space works for everyone, addressing the lack of satellite servicing infrastructure and ensuring that satellites no longer have to "fend for themselves" in space. Key Executives at SMC include Rajat Kulshrestha (CEO & Co-Founder), Mark Ramsey (Chief Operating Officer), and George Freney (Co-Founder).

All About ISRO's Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) and Its First Mission

Tomorrow on Sunday morning, Indian space agency ISRO will launch SSLV, a small-lift launch vehicle, on its maiden flight at 09:18 am (IST) from the First Launch Pad of Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.

ISRO is inviting citizens to the Launch View Gallery at Satish Dhawan Space Centre to witness the launch. To witness the launch, click here for registration.

This new launch-vehicle is developed with the aim of launching small satellites commercially at drastically reduced price and higher launch rate as compared to PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle).

The ISRO-developed SSLV can launch upto 500 kg satellites to Low Earth Orbits on ‘launch-on-demand’ basis. SSLV's first mission called as "SSLV-D1" mission would launch EOS-02, a 135 kg Satellite, into low earth orbit of about 350 km to the equator, at an inclination of about 37 degrees.

SSLV is capable of launching Mini, Micro, or Nanosatellites (10 to 500 kg mass) to a 500 km planar orbit.

SSLV-D1/EOS-02 Mission | Image - ISRO

The mission also carries AzaadiSAT satellite, which is a 8U Cubesat weighing around 8 kg. It carries 75 different payloads each weighing around 50 grams and conducting femto-experiments. AzaadiSAT is a satellite mission with the ambitious vision to encourage Government school children (from economically weak backgrounds) with the basic understanding and knowledge of space and tutor them to build a small experiment and launch it to the edge of space through a “Balloon Satellite” or through an “Orbital Satellite".

Girl students from rural regions across the country were provided guidance to build these payloads. The payloads are integrated by the student team of Chennai-based Space Kidz India, which in 2019 mentored and trained Girl Students of Tanil Nadu's Periyar Maniammai Institute of Science Technology (PMIST), to launch Asia’s 1st satellite launch by girl students.

The payloads include a UHF-VHF Transponder working in ham radio frequency to enable voice and data transmission for amateur radio operators, a solid state PIN diode-based Radiation counter to measure the ionising radiation in its orbit, a long-range transponder and a selfie camera. The ground system developed by ‘Space Kidz India’ will be utilised for receiving the data from this satellite.

SSLV vs PSLV

• PSLV launch involves 600 officials while SSLV launch operations can be managed by a small team of about 6 people. 
• The launch readiness period of the SSLV is expected to be less than a week instead of months.
• SSLV can be assembled in 72 hours (3 days) to 15 Days – instead of the 60 days.
• SSLV can be assembled both vertically like the existing PSLV and Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) and horizontally like the decommissioned Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV) and Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV).
• SSLV Specifications:
• Height: 34.0 meters
• Diameter: 2.0 meter
• Lift-Off Mass: 120 tonnes