India’s aerospace start-ups eye rocket launches and planetary missions

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One of the firms Astrome could potentially compete globally with tech entrepreneur Elon Musk’s SpaceX, to solve the problem of connectivity by beaming high bandwidth internet from space.
“There could be opportunities for the Indian space sector to collaborate with start-ups by licensing their technologies and working together in lower orbits possibly,” said Venkatesh Kumaran, president, Astrome.
The firm said it is moving up the value chain by deploying its wireless backhaul products in ‘terrestrial’ followed by early trials of its space products in 2020.

Participation by start-ups in the space sector has largely been minimal so far. Their participation will be key towards building India’s very own aerospace companies such as Maxar, SpaceX and RocketLab.

One of the firms Astrome could potentially compete globally with tech entrepreneur Elon Musk’s SpaceX, to solve the problem of connectivity by beaming high bandwidth internet from space. Bengaluru-based Pixxel is working on building a constellation of earth-imaging small satellites to provide real-time and affordable satellite imagery. Chennai-based Agnikul is building an orbital-class launch vehicle that can take small satellites to space.

Valued at around $7 billion, Indian space industry is just around 2% of the global market that stands at around $360 billion. It has the potential to cross $50 billion in 5 years.

Experts said the changing focus of ISRO’s commercial arm, New Space India (NSIL), from supply-driven approach to a demand-driven one indicates that majority of the commercial activities may be outsourced to numerous industries as and when there is increasing demand.
“This will surely help ISRO receive more international orders since it will be able to deliver more frequent launches than before,” said Yashas Karanam, director at Bellatrix Aerospace, which is developing orbital launch vehicles (rockets) and electric propulsion systems for satellites.
I believe it would increase the number of companies emerging in the space sector in the country and make it easier for them to do business here,” said Manish Singhal, founding partner, pi Ventures.
In March, the early-stage venture fund had invested Rs 23.4 crore in Agnikul, a Chennai-based firm that is pioneering 3D printed single-piece rocket engines and building an orbital-class launch vehicle that can take small satellites to space.
“It looks like the government is trusting the start-ups now and I think it is up to the start-ups to step up their game,” said Srinath Ravichandran, co-founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of Agnikul.
Valued at around $7 billion, the Indian space industry is just around 2 per cent of the global market that stands at around $360 billion.

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