NSIL and French Firm Join Forces for Satellites

India and France have announced a strategic partnership to explore the global satellite launch market, using their respective heavy-lift launch vehicles, LVM-3 and Ariane-6. The MoU was signed during French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to India, highlighting the deepening space collaboration between the two nations.

Background

NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) is the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), which aims to provide cost-effective and reliable space services to domestic and international customers. Arianespace SAS is a French satellite launch company, which operates the Ariane, Vega and Soyuz rockets from the Guiana Space Centre in South America.

Market Potential

The global satellite launch market is witnessing an unprecedented demand for satellite launches, with a significant number of missions planned for Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO) and Low Earth Orbit (LEO). These orbits are ideal for communication, earth observation and satellite constellation payloads, which are expected to grow exponentially in the coming decade.

Partnership Benefits

The partnership between NSIL and Arianespace aims to leverage the strengths of both companies to address the growing demand for commercial satellite launch services. NSIL’s heavy-lift launch vehicle, LVM-3, also known as GSLV MKIII, can carry up to 4 tonnes of payload to GTO and 10 tonnes to LEO. Arianespace’s Ariane-6, which is expected to debut in 2024, can carry up to 11.5 tonnes to GTO and 21 tonnes to LEO.

The collaboration will enable both companies to offer competitive and flexible launch solutions to their customers, as well as to share their expertise and resources. The partnership will also enhance India’s capabilities and readiness to cater to the international market, further solidifying its position as a key player in the global space economy.