ISRO forms new PSU called NSIL to commercially exploit technology, launch satellites through SSLVs

The ISRO has formed the New Space India Limited (NSIL), a public sector undertaking (PSU) that will commercially exploit the research and development work of the space agency, co-produce Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle  (PSLV) and launch satellites through Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV), the government said on Thursday.

The NSIL will exclusively work on small satellite technology transfer to industry, manufacturing SSLV, a product which is being developed by the ISRO, in collaboration with the private sector and productionization of PSLV through Indian industry.

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ISRO's new arm will also enable the marketing of space-based products and services, including launch and application, developed by ISRO centres and the constituent units of the Department of Space and marketing spin-off technologies and products and services both in India and abroad.

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Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Jitendra Singh shared this information in a written response to a question in the Rajya Sabha.   

"NSIL would enable Indian Industries to scale up high-technology manufacturing and production base for meeting the growing needs of Indian space program and would further spur the growth of Indian industries in the space sector," he said.

Antrix Ltd is another PSU under the Department of Space that acts as a commercial arm of the ISRO. Meanwhile, ISRO also announced it plans to have its own space station. The plans were announced by K Sivan, Director of ISRO, at a joint briefing with MoS PMO Dr Jitendra Singh on June 13. This would be an extension of Gaganyaan - India's first indigenous manned mission to space which is planned to launch in 2022. With this massive pronouncement and the increase in ambition it entails, ISRO is surging forward by leaps and bounds.

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In addition, the planned mission Chandrayaan-2 mission will also venture and explore the region of the Moon where no one else has carried out a mission before. It will carry a composite body which is comprised of an orbiter, a lander, and a rover. The whole mass of Chandrayaan 2 amounts to 3.8 ton. The propellor itself weighs 1.3 ton. Chandrayaan-2 will launch on the early hours of July 15.