Latest news with #PawanGoenka
The Hindu
31 minutes ago
- Business
- The Hindu
HAL wins ₹511-crore deal to build, own and commercialise SSLV launches
The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has bagged a Transfer of Technology (ToT) deal, valued at ₹511 crore, from the Indian Space Research Organisation, to build and operate Small Satellite Launch Vehicles (SSLVs). The SSLV is a three-stage vehicle to launch satellites that weigh less than 500 kg into the Lower Earth Orbit (LEO). The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) on Friday announced the HAL as the winning bidder among three shortlisted bidders. The deal will enable commercialisation of SSLV launches. Other contenders Apart from the HAL, which had applied independently, two other technically qualified bidders were shortlisted: Alpha Design Technologies Ltd., Bengaluru, leading a consortium with Agnikul Cosmos and Walchand Industries Ltd.; and Bharat Dynamics Ltd., Hyderabad, leading a consortium with Skyroot Aerospace, Keltron and Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL). Among the three, HAL emerged as the highest bidder. Pawan Goenka, Chairman, IN-SPACe, announced the winner. 'The HAL will be giving ₹511 crore. It is a phased payment that will be done with some amount at the time of signing the contract and the remaining coming over a period of two years. The ToT phase will take two years and during these two years, the HAL will make at least two SSLV rockets with complete help and handholding from the ISRO and after two years, they will be on their own. So during the two years, they will draw all the technology and take it from there,' Dr. Goenka said. Rigorous evaluation IN-SPACe said the bidding process involved a rigorous eligibility and evaluation framework. '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 the HAL emerged as the highest bidder to acquire and operationalise SSLV technology,' the IN-SPACe said. The ToT 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 realisation and launch of two SSLVs in the next two years. 'The launch vehicle system, being multidisciplinary 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 realising the projected launch of two SSLVs from an Indian launch port,' Rajeev Jyoti, Director, Technical Directorate, IN-SPACe, said. Barenya Senapati, Director (Finance), HAL said that the PSU intends to build six to 12 SSLVs per year during the production phase and that it may ramp up based on demand and requirement. Space launch liability To a question on who will take the liability of a privately manufactured SSLV, Dr. Goenka said the state (Government of India) has the responsibility. 'It is an international rule and not something India or the HAL or IN-SPACe can decide. Now, it is up to the Indian government to decide how much of that liability they keep on themselves and how much they pass on to the owner and launcher of the vehicle. As per the contract we will have, the HAL will follow whatever is the law of the land.' 'We will come out with a decision on how the launch liability will be shared between the owner of the rocket and the Government of India,' he added.
United News of India
5 hours ago
- Business
- United News of India
HAL gets SSLV tech in Rs 511 crore deal
Bengaluru, June 20 (UNI) In a landmark move to bolster India's commercial space ambitions, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has formally transferred the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) technology to aerospace and defence major Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) under a Rs 511 crore agreement through a competitive bidding process. The deal marks the first time an Indian industry entity has been entrusted with the complete end-to-end production and commercialisation of a launch vehicle — a development hailed by Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) Chairman Dr Pawan Goenka as a "pivotal moment" in India's space sector reforms. The transfer agreement, signed between HAL, ISRO, NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL), and IN-SPACe, includes extensive handholding and training of HAL personnel by ISRO teams at both ISRO and HAL facilities. The roadmap envisages the realisation and launch of two SSLV missions over the next two years. "This is not merely a technology handover — it is a declaration that India is ready to democratise space access. HAL's successful bid reflects a high level of technical preparedness and capacity to absorb complex launch vehicle technology," Dr Goenka said. The SSLV, developed by ISRO, is a cost-effective launch vehicle designed to carry payloads of up to 500 kg into low-Earth orbit. It is particularly aimed at catering to the growing demand for small satellite launches, both domestically and globally. HAL emerged as the top bidder among three shortlisted contenders. The other two bids were led by Alpha Design Technologies (in consortium with Agnikul Cosmos and Walchand Industries Ltd) and Bharat Dynamics Ltd (in consortium with Skyroot Aerospace, Keltron and BHEL). The selection followed a rigorous eligibility and evaluation process conducted by IN-SPACe. According to Dr Rajeev Jyoti, Director (Technical Directorate), IN-SPACe, "All three bids were technically competent. HAL's proposal stood out in its comprehensiveness and readiness. ISRO will provide rigorous handholding to ensure seamless transition and mission success." NSIL Chairman and MD Radhakrishnan Durairaj said India could see up to a dozen SSLV launches annually in the near future. 'This is a major leap for Indian industry in realising indigenous launch vehicles for global clientele,' he noted. HAL CMD D K Sunil expressed confidence that the partnership with ISRO and IN-SPACe would lead to the establishment of a robust ecosystem for SSLV production and services. "This opportunity will enable HAL to fully own and operate SSLV launches, meeting global launch-on-demand requirements," he said. The development underscores the government's push to privatise and expand the space sector through public-private partnerships, targeting a projected $44 billion space economy by 2033. The SSLV transfer follows HAL's ongoing partnership with L&T for Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) manufacturing and comes amid increased activity in India's launch sector, including the emergence of private players like Skyroot Aerospace and Agnikul Cosmos. "This handover is a demonstration of intent — to make India not just a launchpad, but a global hub for small satellite launches," the government said in a statement. UNI BDN RN
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
HAL bags Rs 511 crore deal to acquire ISRO's SSLV rocket tech
Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has emerged as the winning bidder for the transfer of Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) small satellite launch vehicle (SSLV) technology, marking one of the most significant technology transfers from the space agency to a commercial entity. The deal is worth Rs 511 crore. Under the agreement, HAL will independently build, own, and operate SSLV rockets, with ISRO providing training and handholding for two missions over the next two years, the space regulator and promoter, the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), announced on Friday. Among the three bidders, the public sector undertaking (PSU) HAL's standalone bid beat the Adani-backed Alpha Design Technologies consortium, comprising Agnikul Cosmos and Walchand Industries. The second consortium was led by Bharat Dynamics along with Skyroot Aerospace, Keltron, and BHEL to win the ₹511-crore tender. 'This is one of the first instances of a space agency transferring complete launch vehicle technology to a company. Under this transfer agreement, HAL will have the capability to independently build, own, and commercialise SSLV launches,' said Pawan Goenka, Chairman, IN-SPACe. HAL aims to manufacture 6-8 SSLV rockets per year, depending on demand, and is expected to generate about $6.5 million in revenue per launch. SSLV is a three-stage, solid-propulsion rocket by ISRO to launch small satellites of about 500 kg into a 500 km orbit. It's designed to be cost-effective and flexible, offering launch-on-demand capabilities with reduced turnaround times. 'The system is multidisciplinary in nature and will require rigorous training of HAL personnel at both ISRO and HAL sites,' said Rajeev Jyoti, director, technical directorate at IN-SPACe. Discover the stories of your interest Blockchain 5 Stories Cyber-safety 7 Stories Fintech 9 Stories E-comm 9 Stories ML 8 Stories Edtech 6 Stories IN-SPACe added that a rigorous eligibility and evaluation framework was followed. 'The process, which continued for several months, culminated in the financial bid evaluation, where HAL emerged as the highest bidder to acquire and operationalise SSLV technology ,' it said in a statement. The SSLV technology transfer will be formalised through an agreement involving HAL, ISRO, NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL) and IN-SPACe. HAL's director finance Barenya Senapati said winning the bid was in line with HAL's larger goal of entering the space sector in a bigger way than it has been doing in the past. He added that the new portfolio will not affect its current operations. HAL and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) are already jointly building ISRO's trusted Polar Satellite Launch Vehicles (PSLV) rockets under a contract with NewSpace India Limited (NSIL). The contract for five PSLV rockets is worth Rs 860 crore, that is, each PSLV rocket costs approximately Rs 172 crore to build. Following the announcement of the winning bid, shares of HAL settled 1.18% higher at Rs 4,960 on Friday.
United News of India
8 hours ago
- Business
- United News of India
No favouritism and taxpayer risk in SSLV transfer
Bengaluru, June 20 (UNI) IN-SPACe Chairman Dr Pawan Goenka has strongly refuted allegations of bias, lack of transparency, and misuse of public funds in the transfer of Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) technology to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), asserting that the decision was made through a transparent, merit-based process, fully aligned with India's new space policy. Addressing an UNI query, Dr Goenka stated, 'It has been absolutely clear from day one that the selection process was open, transparent, and fair. HAL emerged as the technically qualified highest bidder. There was no favouritism or manoeuvring to award this to a PSU.' He clarified that both private and public sector entities competed on an equal footing. 'Whether it is HAL or a private company, IN-SPACe does not discriminate. The highest, most qualified bidder gets it—period,' he emphasised. Responding to suggestions that HAL was chosen due to its PSU status, Dr Goenka pointed out HAL's extensive experience in building subsystems for launch vehicles. 'This technology is going into good hands. HAL has worked closely with ISRO before and understands the intricacies of rocket manufacturing,' he said. On concerns about the financial liability in case of mission failure, Dr Goenka was unequivocal: 'There is absolutely no risk to taxpayers. HAL has paid the Government of India to acquire the SSLV technology. If a rocket fails, the loss is HAL's, not the government's.' This, he added, marks a major turning point in India's space sector, where commercial entities now take full financial and operational ownership. 'It could have been a private company too. The key is: the responsibility now lies with the one who owns the licence.' Dismissing suggestions that ISRO is being sidelined, the IN-SPACe chief said the move is in strict adherence to the Indian Space Policy approved by the Union Cabinet, which delineates ISRO's focus on R&D and strategic launches, while leaving commercial operations to industry via IN-SPACe and NSIL. 'ISRO is not being cut out. It is simply focusing on its core mandate. We're implementing what the policy clearly outlines,' he said, citing the structured roles of other agencies such as NSIL, Antrix, and IN-SPACe. SSLV, a lightweight, low-cost rocket intended to serve the global small satellite launch market, is expected to play a key role in expanding India's commercial space footprint. 'This is a historic moment — for the first time, a complete launch vehicle programme has moved out of ISRO's hands and into industry. It shows our commitment to democratising space access,' Dr Goenka concluded. UNI BDN GNK
CNA
9 hours ago
- Business
- CNA
Warplane maker HAL wins bid to make India's small satellite launch rockets
BENGALURU : State-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd has won a bid to commercially make India's small satellite launch rockets, in the government's biggest move yet to open its fast-growing space industry to private players. Fighter jet maker HAL won with a bid of 5.11 billion rupees ($59 million), space regulator the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre said on Friday. Reuters reported in February that three consortiums - Alpha Design Technologies, a unit of Adani Defence Systems and Technologies, state-backed Bharat Dynamics and HAL - were the finalists to acquire India's Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) technology. "One of the big things we have been wanting to do is to make India the global hub for small satellite launches," Pawan Goenka, chairman of IN-SPACe told reporters. Shares of HAL rose as much as 1.6 per cent to hit a session high of 4,980 rupees after the announcement. Handing SSLV's technology to HAL marks a significant shift for India's space industry, which has already granted satellite communication service licenses to global and domestic firms such as France's Eutelsat and Reliance Jio's satellite venture. The rocket is capable of carrying 500kg payloads to low-Earth orbit. HAL will have the capability to build, own, and commercialize SSLV launches, Goenka added. HAL intends to offer a "very competitive" price on launches both for India and international clients, said Barenya Senapati, Director (Finance) at Hindustan Aeronautics. About 20 companies had initially expressed interest in bidding for the SSLV, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's policy drive to open up India's space industry. The global low-Earth orbit launch vehicle market was valued at $13.9 billion in 2023 and is estimated to grow to about $44 billion by 2032, according to Global Market Insights. India, which accounts for only 2 per cent of the global space economy, is eyeing a fivefold expansion to $44 billion by the end of the decade. Hindustan Aeronautics and Larsen & Toubro, an industrial conglomerate, have a government contract to manufacture and deliver larger rockets to Indian Space Research Organisation. The first of those are due for launch between October and December, said Radhakrishnan Durairaj, chairman and managing director of New Space India Limited, the commercial arm of ISRO.
