New Delhi [India], June 21 (ANI): In a significant development for India’s space sector, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has been selected for the Transfer of Technology (ToT) of the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) by the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe).
Under this agreement, HAL will be tasked with absorbing, manufacturing, and commercializing SSLV technology. The move is aimed at bolstering indigenous capabilities and expanding India’s presence in the rapidly growing small satellite launch market.
According to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the SSLV is a compact, three-stage launch vehicle featuring solid propulsion stages and a liquid-propelled Velocity Trimming Module (VTM) for the final phase. It is designed to carry payloads of up to 500 kg into a 500 km planar orbit.
HAL Chairman and Managing Director D.K. Sunil emphasized the strategic importance of the ToT. “HAL’s selection for the SSLV ToT will enable indigenous production and further development of small satellite launch capabilities, opening up new partnerships with domestic and international satellite operators,” he said in a statement posted by HAL.
Describing SSLV as a “cost-effective and highly flexible launch vehicle,” HAL noted that its compact design was developed by ISRO to meet the surging demand for placing small satellites into Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
IN-SPACe, an autonomous nodal agency under the Department of Space (DoS), is responsible for promoting, enabling, authorizing, and supervising various space-related activities of non-governmental entities. These include building launch vehicles and satellites, providing space-based services, and sharing DoS/ISRO infrastructure.
Established following India’s space sector reforms, IN-SPACe serves as a single-window interface between ISRO and private players, including startups, research institutions, and academic organizations. The agency works to enhance participation in space-based activities and develop a robust commercial space ecosystem in India.
In another major development this week, HAL signed an agreement with French engine manufacturer Safran Aircraft Engines for the industrialization and production of rotating parts for LEAP engines. The announcement was made in a joint release by HAL and Safran.
The agreement supports the Government of India’s “Make in India” initiative and follows a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two companies in October 2023. It builds on a previous contract signed in February for the production of forged engine components.
“We are really proud to expand this long-standing partnership with Safran and to develop our industrial expertise in forging processes for Inconel parts for the LEAP program,” said HAL CMD D.K. Sunil.
The collaboration aims to support the rapid growth of India’s aerospace sector and meet the increasing demand for LEAP engines, which power single-aisle civil aircraft. It also aligns with Safran’s broader strategy to establish a comprehensive aerospace ecosystem in India through new facilities and deeper cooperation with Indian partners like HAL.
“This industrial cooperation is part of our roadmap to diversify our production sourcing and strengthen our industrial footprint in India,” said Dominique Dupuy, Vice President of Purchasing at Safran Aircraft Engines. “It will support the growth of domestic air traffic with our LEAP engine and prepare for future requirements of the M88 engine powering the Rafale.”
Safran currently operates five production facilities across Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Goa. A sixth site dedicated to maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) of LEAP engines is set to open in Hyderabad by the end of the year. (ANI)
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