Boosting India’s Capability in Satellite Manufacturing: Navigating Challenges and Unlocking Opportunities

Introduction

India stands proudly among the top five spacefaring nations, with its stake in the global space economy valued at USD 8.4 billion. This figure is projected to soar to approximately USD 44 billion by 2033. Satellite manufacturing plays a crucial role in this anticipated growth. India’s competitive edge in cost-effective satellite production, coupled with its ongoing technological advancements, is solidifying its position as a global space leader.

Infrastructure Development/ Infrastructure Investments and Technological Advancements

The country at present is making significant investments in infrastructure such as satellite integration and testing facilities, as well as ground stations, to enable comprehensive satellite manufacturing and operations. Both ISRO and private sectors are establishing satellite manufacturing facilities in Bengaluru and Hyderabad. IN-SPACe’s upcoming Ground Station as a Service (GSaaS) framework is set to enhance satellite data management, opening up new opportunities for operators and manufacturers.

Supportive Government Policies and Emerging Opportunities

Supported by government policies, technological innovations, and the increasing involvement of public and private players, India is on a promising trajectory to become a global hub for satellite manufacturing—particularly for small and nano satellites. Liberalization of FDI in 2024 for satellite manufacturing & operation, satellite data products has further opened doors for foreign partnerships for the Indian space companies. Yet, despite its immense potential and new opportunities, India’s satellite manufacturing sector faces significant challenges that must be addressed for it to reach its full capacity.

India’s Success Stories : Indian Satellite Manufacturing

India has seen several success stories in satellite manufacturing over the past five years, fuelled by strategic public-private collaborations that have propelled the nation’s space technology capabilities to new heights.

Hyderabad based Dhruva Space has emerged as a leader, producing domestically designed and manufactured small satellites – Thybolt-1 and Thybolt-2  and successfully deploying them through ISRO’s PSLV C54, marking a significant step in private-sector satellite manufacturing. Bengaluru-based Pixxel made a similar impact with its “Anand” satellite, demonstrating India’s ability to create high-resolution Earth observation satellites for global customer.

Other companies, such as Bellatrix Aerospace and SatSure, have also made strides in small and nanosatellites for Earth observation and agricultural data, underscoring India’s growing expertise in niche satellite technology. Collaborations with ISRO and international players have enabled these companies to create niche satellite technologies.

CII’s Role in Space sector

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has been driving India’s vision of enhancing the engagement of Indian Industry in the space technology sector. CII is also dedicated to encouraging Indian industry’s participation to boost indigenous capabilities, build capacities, and advance technologies in the space sector. By focusing on expanding domestic demand for space technology, we aim to support and further strengthen the ecosystem for space startups in India.

Roundtable Event: A Platform for Collaborative Solutions

To further strengthen this vision, CII through its National Committee on Space is organizing a roundtable on, “Boosting India’s Capability in Satellite Manufacturing: Navigating Challenges and Unlocking Opportunities,” in Bengaluru on 26th November 2024. The roundtable aims to foster productive discussions, gather insights from industry leaders and startups, and shape actionable recommendations to present to relevant authorities.

For more information, contact sangeeta.karki@cii.in