Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is expanding efforts to transfer technologies developed for its space programme to domestic industry, as the government looks to build private-sector capability across advanced areas such as propulsion, satellite systems and human spaceflight.
In a written reply to Parliament, the government said the ISRO is pursuing research and development across a wide range of critical technologies needed for future missions.
These include reusable launch vehicle stages, liquid oxygen and methane engines, air-breathing and hybrid propulsion, advanced materials and manufacturing, low-cost spacecraft and on-orbit servicing and docking.
ISRO is also working on technologies linked to longer-term ambitions such as lunar sample return missions, quantum communication, electric propulsion, space-based surveillance and atomic clocks, as well as systems required for sustained human space missions, including life-support technologies, inflatable habitats and human factors engineering.
To ensure that these developments translate into broader economic and industrial benefits, ISRO is working with NewSpace India Ltd and the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre, or IN-SPACe, to increase the transfer of technologies to Indian companies, including startups and smaller firms.
The government said IN-SPACe and NSIL have created online portals listing ISRO technologies that are available for transfer to industry.
These technologies are being offered under a differential pricing policy that provides a 30% concession on technology transfer fees across categories such as startups, micro, small and medium enterprises and academic institutions.
ISRO tech to shorten development cycles for home-grown firms
Government has been encouraging greater private participation in the space sector in recent years, opening up satellite launches, manufacturing and downstream services to commercial players.
Officials say technology transfer is a key part of this strategy, helping companies build products and services based on proven space-grade systems rather than starting from scratch.
The Department of Space has also drafted new technology transfer guidelines, which are currently being processed for approval. The updated framework is expected to streamline procedures and clarify terms under which public-sector space technologies can be commercialised.
Access to ISRO-developed technologies is expected to shorten development cycles for home-grown firms and help them compete in global space and defence supply chains, but according many industry experts, the successful transfer will depend on how quickly companies can adapt highly specialised space technologies for commercial use.
