Indian Space Industry : Updates & Discussions

[Choice_of _inevitability]

nothing. so who's building these sats? in-house, a foreign partner, or buying someone with slots already?

There's a tech transfer of various satellite buses from ISRO to various private players. IMS-1 has already been transferred, however it's the IMS-2 that perfectly matches the power and cooling requirements. The Oneweb satellite ISRO launched were similar in size to IMS-1 based satellites.

The only problem with the above is the form factor, it's cubic and cannot be stacked in large numbers like Starlink which are purpose built.

I'm guessing they can source the communication payloads from players like ADTL or AMPL. Lots of ifs and buts there. The only glaring bottleneck I see is the launch capacity.

 

[Gautam]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2097359827836314089

First launch of Reliance Jio's satellite internet constellation in Sept, 2027!

Reliance Jio, that has been developing a 1,600-satellite constellation for delivering high-speed internet, is now planning to launch their first mission in September next year!

In that first mission, they will launch a small number of satellites to validate their systems and hardware.From there onwards, the roadmap will be as follows –

• 90-100 total satellites by Q2, 2028, internet coverage across India.
• 400-450 satellites by 2030.
• Completed constellation having 1,600 satellites by 2035, global coverage.The constellation will operate in Low Earth Orbit at an altitude of 650 km.

Once the constellation is complete, India will have 30-32 satellites over it at all times, with each satellite delivering 100-150 Gbps throughput, adding up to a total of 4-4.8 Terabits per second!This is higher than the 600 Gbps that SpaceX Starlink has approval for, and the 3 Tbps over India that Amazon Leo has applied for.

ET Exclusive: Reliance Jio eyes September 2027 test flight for 1,600-satellite LEO network

 

[Gautam]

 

[Prokion]

There's a tech transfer of various satellite buses from ISRO to various private players. IMS-1 has already been transferred, however it's the IMS-2 that perfectly matches the power and cooling requirements. The Oneweb satellite ISRO launched were similar in size to IMS-1 based satellites.

The only problem with the above is the form factor, it's cubic and cannot be stacked in large numbers like Starlink which are purpose built.

I'm guessing they can source the communication payloads from players like ADTL or AMPL. Lots of ifs and buts there. The only glaring bottleneck I see is the launch capacity.

Launch capacity can be taken care of, Skyroot CEO Pawan said in an interview that Skyroot is developing a reusable medium-heavy lift launch vehicle which will be especially used for inserting constallations of sattelites, also both Astrobase and Ethereal will be debuting their launch vehicles in 2028, with Agnikul and Skyroot starting commercial launches from next year. I don't think that launch would be a big problem, also probably Jio will not start launching sattelites by the hundreds at once, the cadence and no. of sattelites being launched will increase gradually, giving our launch companies eneough time to catch up. The thing I am worried about is that Reliance will probably partner with a foreign company and give it to them to develop the sattelites, this would completely disregard the sovereignty factor, but again current Indian startups or companies don't have the capacity to manufacture thousands of sattelites. The only company planning to do that is Dhruva Space, its upcoming new manufacturing facility(under construction) will have the capacity of manufacturing a sattelte per day.

, 28:39 onwards.

 

[Ashwin]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2097960821095899398

https://twitter.com/x/status/2097960556494020874

 

[Ashwin]

 

[Gautam]

So, putting it very simplistically, FSCC is a mix of expander cycle & FFSC. Not entirely but close.

Finally, we have some figures for this engine:
View attachment 53728
For their first attempt at a kerolox engine with a new cycle, achieving sea level Isp of 293s would be a great achievement.

More details on this company's engines & rocket.

1. Their LV will be a fully re-usable medium lift vehicle. Payload capacities of 8 tons (with full reusability), 22 tons (with partial reusability) & 24.8 tons (with stages expended) to 400 km LEO. The rocket will also have GTO & TLI capabilities too.
2. The 80kN RP-1/LOX engine, named "Pegasus", shown before is the upper stage engine. Test campaign for this engine will start on 14th of this month. Hot fire by Nov 14th.
3. For the booster stage they are planning a cluster of 9 RP-1/LOX GG cycle engines, each producing 1.2 MN. 430+ kg/sec flow rate. It will run very high chamber pressures. Exact numbers aren't provided. But the turbopumps had to be qualified for PESO 200 bar & PESO 400 bar standards. So, between 20 to 40 MPa. This engine will be called "Stallion".
4. ISRO's LSPC test stand was available for testing. But that facility was built around the SCE-200 engine & was not compatible for this engine. The had to make their own test stand.
5. the "Stallion" will be unveiled in the last week of December or 1st week of January. Hot fire by March-April.
6. First rocket demonstrator flight will happen in Q4 of 2027 or Q1 of 2028 depending on launch pad availability.
7. It would take them 18-20 launches too hit the USD 500 per kg payload cost. In the 1st year of operational use of this launcher, they are planning to do 3-4 launches with an average payload of 8-14 tons. In the 2nd year they are looking at 8-10 launches.

 

[Nithees1]

More details on this company's engines & rocket.

1. Their LV will be a fully re-usable medium lift vehicle. Payload capacities of 8 tons (with full reusability), 22 tons (with partial reusability) & 24.8 tons (with stages expended) to 400 km LEO. The rocket will also have GTO & TLI capabilities too.
2. The 80kN RP-1/LOX engine, named "Pegasus", shown before is the upper stage engine. Test campaign for this engine will start on 14th of this month. Hot fire by Nov 14th.
3. For the booster stage they are planning a cluster of 9 RP-1/LOX GG cycle engines, each producing 1.2 MN. 430+ kg/sec flow rate. It will run very high chamber pressures. Exact numbers aren't provided. But the turbopumps had to be qualified for PESO 200 bar & PESO 400 bar standards. So, between 20 to 40 MPa. This engine will be called "Stallion".
4. ISRO's LSPC test stand was available for testing. But that facility was built around the SCE-200 engine & was not compatible for this engine. The had to make their own test stand.
5. the "Stallion" will be unveiled in the last week of December or 1st week of January. Hot fire by March-April.
6. First rocket demonstrator flight will happen in Q4 of 2027 or Q1 of 2028 depending on launch pad availability.
7. It would take them 18-20 launches too hit the USD 500 per kg payload cost. In the 1st year of operational use of this launcher, they are planning to do 3-4 launches with an average payload of 8-14 tons. In the 2nd year they are looking at 8-10 launches.

so about this decade end can be expected for this to get into commercial sustainability if all things go without a problem (highly unlikely tbh), skyroot need to move a bit faster beyond the vikram mk 2, towards reusability, so that they can sustain themselves and more importantly to create actual competition with these guys.

 

[Ashwin]

 

[Gautam]

 

[Gautam]

 

[Ashwin]

TDB-DST signs agreement with Agnikul Cosmos for ₹200 crore RDI support to develop fully reusable Agnibaan launch vehicle​

​

Project targets next-generation reusable launch capability, taking the technology from TRL-4 and above towards TRL-8​

Posted On: 25 SEP 2026 3:09PM by PIB Delhi

India’s journey towards building a new generation of indigenous and reusable space transportation systems has received a significant boost with the Technology Development Board (TDB), Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, signing an agreement with M/s Agnikul Cosmos Private Limited, Chennai, Tamil Nadu for ₹200 crore financial support under the Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund.

The project focuses on the development of a reusable launch vehicle – Agnibaan RLV, with the objective of taking the technology from TRL-4 and above to TRL-8. The financial support will be provided through Optionally Convertible Debentures (OCD). The project seeks to move beyond the conventional approach of recovering only the first stage of a launch vehicle and work towards full-system reusability. The proposed architecture is designed to enable high-frequency and repeatable launches while reducing launch and manufacturing costs and limiting the generation of space debris.

At the core of the programme is a reusable launch architecture combining a lightweight upper stage, precise orbital insertion capabilities and a semi-cryogenic liquid propulsion system designed for deep throttling and restart capability. The approach is intended to provide greater flexibility in mission operations while improving the potential for repeated use of the launch system.

Agnikul has already demonstrated several elements of the technology through its development and testing programmes. The company’s earlier work includes the development of Agnibaan, its indigenous orbital-class launch vehicle, and the Agnilet engine, a single-piece 3D-printed rocket engine developed and manufactured in-house. TDB had earlier supported Agnikul’s development and commercialisation of a modular configurable launch vehicle for small satellite missions.

The new RDI-supported programme takes this technology journey a step further — from developing a launch vehicle to developing a system designed around reusability, repeatability and operational efficiency. The proposed Agnibaan RLV incorporates a reusable upper-stage architecture and descent propulsion system, with the project envisaging technologies that can support controlled descent and recovery. The company’s development programme also includes propulsion systems capable of restart and deep throttling, critical capabilities for descent and landing operations.

The project is expected to support the development and validation of technologies required for a reusable launch architecture, including propulsion, ascent systems, orbital insertion, descent and recovery. The programme is aligned with the RDI Fund’s identified priority area of advanced and reusable launch vehicles and propulsion innovation within Space Technologies.

Sh. Rajesh Kumar Pathak, Secretary, TDB, said, “The next phase of India’s space journey will require technologies that not only reach orbit but can do so with greater frequency, flexibility and efficiency. Reusability is an important technology frontier in this regard. Through the RDI Fund, TDB is supporting the development of ambitious indigenous technologies that require sustained investment to progress from advanced technology stages towards deployment. The Agnibaan RLV programme reflects this approach by focusing on the development of a reusable launch architecture and strengthening India’s capabilities in advanced space transportation systems.”

Promoters of Agnikul Cosmos Private Limited said, “Reusability requires the integration of propulsion, vehicle design, guidance, recovery and mission operations into a highly reliable system. TDB providing support for this is unique and special for us as it shows that the Government is willing to back original technology development in India. Such support will enable us to progress development of Agnibaan towards as a world class operational vehicle and build an indigenous platform for repeatable access to space.”
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TDB-DST signs agreement with GalaxEye for ₹63.84 crore RDI support to develop next-generation multisensor satellite technology​

Indigenous OptoSAR technology to combine SAR and optical imaging for high-resolution Earth observation​

Posted On: 24 SEP 2026 3:54PM by PIB Delhi

Taking forward the Government of India’s push to accelerate private-sector research and development in strategic and emerging technologies, the Technology Development Board (TDB), Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, has signed an agreement with M/s GalaxEye Space Solutions Private Limited, Bengaluru for financial support of ₹63.84 crore under the Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund.

The project, with a total approved cost of ₹247.69 crore, is aimed at developing a multisensor satellite capable of high-resolution (<0.5 m) OptoSAR imaging and taking the technology from TRL-6 to TRL-9. The support will be extended through Optionally Convertible Debentures (OCD). At the heart of the GalaxEye project is OptoSAR, an approach that brings together two fundamentally different ways of observing the Earth — Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Electro-Optical (EO) imaging.

While optical imaging can provide highly detailed visual information, its effectiveness can be affected by cloud cover and illumination. SAR, on the other hand, can operate irrespective of daylight and can image through cloud cover. The proposed system seeks to bring these complementary capabilities together through fusion of SAR and EO data, enabling a richer and more continuous picture of the Earth.

The proposed satellite is designed to provide sub-0.5 metre high-resolution imaging. The technology is intended to support applications including wide-area and long-range surveillance, human and vehicle detection, and target classification, while enabling imaging across diverse weather and lighting conditions.

The project represents a significant technology-maturation programme, with the RDI support enabling GalaxEye to undertake further development, engineering, testing and validation required to progress the technology from TRL-6 to TRL-9.

Sh. Rajesh Kumar Pathak, Secretary, TDB, said, “India’s space ecosystem is entering a phase where the ability to develop and deploy sophisticated technologies within the country will be increasingly important. The RDI Fund provides an important mechanism to support such technology-intensive efforts through the critical stages between advanced development and deployment. The agreement with GalaxEye reflects TDB’s focus on enabling indigenous capabilities in emerging space technologies and supporting their journey towards commercialisation.”

Promoters of GalaxEye Space Solutions Private Limited said,“The support from the Technology Development Board under the RDI Fund will enable us to accelerate the development and validation of our OptoSAR technology. By combining SAR and optical sensing, we are working towards an Earth-observation capability that can provide high-resolution information across a wider range of weather and lighting conditions. This partnership will be important in taking the technology towards TRL-9 and its subsequent deployment.”

 

[screambowl]

AI mode search

• Agnikul Cosmos (Chennai): Successfully test-fired a clustered system of four 3D-printed semi-cryogenic rocket engines for its modular launch vehicle Agnibaan (following its suborbital test flight Agnibaan SOrTeD). [1, 2]
• Skyroot Aerospace (Hyderabad/National): Completed a 145-second endurance test of its upgraded cryogenic rocket engine, Dhawan-III, on an indigenous mobile test stand built in-house. Skyroot reached a $1.1 billion unicorn valuation in 2026 and is developing the Vikram-1 and Vikram-2 launch vehicles. [1, 2]
• Othisis Systems (Bengaluru): Hot-fired a 5 kN cryogenic rocket engine using liquid oxygen (LOX) and methane with 3D-printing and regenerative cooling, targeting reusable vertical take-off and landing (VTVL) rockets. [1, 2]
• Cosmicport (Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu): Completed the first hot-fire test of its indigenous cryogenic methalox engine, Cryonix (100 kN thrust), at its in-house SPARC test facility. [1]
• Astrobase (Bengaluru): Founded by an ex-ISRO cryogenic scientist and a CoinDCX co-founder, building a high-thrust Full-Flow Staged Combustion methane rocket engine (800 kN) using large-scale industrial 3D printing and a 21-acre test stand. [1]
• Omspace Rocket & Exploration (Private Limited): Successfully tested the 3D-printed ignitor for its indigenously developed cryogenic liquid engine. [1]
• Zero mK India Private Limited: A deep-tech quantum startup (India Quantum Mission) building Shunya 0X, a ³He/⁴He dilution refrigeration and cryogenic system targeting base temperatures ≤ 20 mK. [1]
• INOXCVA (Vadodara): A major industrial manufacturer specializing in large-scale vacuum-insulated cryogenic storage tanks and liquid hydrogen/helium infrastructure. [1, 2]
  
  In-Space Mobility & Strategic Suppliers
  The ecosystem extends beyond primary launch vehicles into orbital transit and specialized heavy manufacturing:
  • Bellatrix Aerospace: Specialized in building "space taxis" or Orbital Transfer Vehicles (OTVs) driven by eco-friendly green chemical and electric propulsion systems to reposition satellites once in orbit.
  • Legacy Aerospace Conglomerates: Major private entities like Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and Tata Advanced Systems continue to manufacture heavy rocket boosters, space infrastructure, and components in tandem with these newer startups

 

[Gautam]