The National Space Development Company (NSIL) will be the central public sector enterprise for developing, building, and operating communications satellites. In addition, it will develop space-based products for Indian businesses. However, many questions remain about the new company. In this article, we’ll discuss the details of the new company, including its structure, mission goals, and funding model. This article also examines the potential for NSIL to become the next ISRO.
NSIL is a central public sector enterprise
NSIL is a Central Public Sector Enterprise, the commercial arm of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The main mandate of NSIL is to facilitate Indian industries to participate in space programmes through high technology. The company will also promote and commercialise space industry products and services. NSIL is incorporated to carry forward ISRO’s efforts in realising PSLV through industry. Its business activities will include building, launching, and operating satellites. It also aims to enhance local industry’s capabilities in space manufacturing.
The company’s operations are guided by a set of guidelines and internal policies. This allows it to offer and allocate capacity as per its needs. Moreover, it is a registered company and is required to follow certain regulations. In fact, it is a central public sector enterprise and is a regulated entity, which means that it has to comply with the rules and regulations of the government. To date, NSIL has launched four commercial satellites.
It will replace ISRO
India is moving closer to the commercialization of space products with the launch of the Chandrayaan-2 satellite on Monday. The mission cost Rs 978 crore and carried a NASA payload. In 2017, India launched 104 satellites. As the nation prepares to launch its first manned mission into space, NSIL is now in the process of establishing a commercial space company. It has a history of successful space flights and is confident of its future.
The new commercial arm of ISRO has been mentioned in the Union Budget 2019, where it is expected to cater to the growing demand for space services. ISRO is expanding its commercialisation and research capabilities. The government needs New Space India to handle aspects of commercial space manufacturing. However, NSIL has not yet been fully operational and it is under the administrative control of the Department of Space. But, it is expected to begin operations by May 2019.
It will operate communication satellites
NSIL has a wide mandate, which has included building, launching, and operating geosynchronous communication satellites. As a wholly-owned CPSE, it was established to commercialize ISRO’s R&D and constituent units of the Department of Space. It has already launched and operated 45 auxiliary customer satellites, including Amazonia-1, as well as 18 co-passenger satellites.
The NSIL is set up to satisfy the needs of the Indian space programme, and to commercially exploit the global space market. With these goals in mind, the Indian government has now expanded the scope and role of the NSIL. As a result, the Indian space industry is likely to grow rapidly. The NSIL Board will be able to price transponders according to worldwide trends and market dynamics, and it will be able to provide capacity according to internal policies.
In addition to its commercial mission, the NSIL will build and launch the first Demand Driven Communication Satellite. The GSAT-24, a 4 tonne class Ku-band satellite, will be launched by the French firm Arianespace’s Ariane-5 rocket. The capacity of this satellite will be leased to the Tata Sky company. The satellite will have a mission life of 15 years. This project will provide India with access to high-quality communications.
It will produce space-based products
The NSIL will facilitate technology transfer by sub-licensing ISRO technology to commercial players. The company plans to transfer technology to India’s small satellite program and to the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle. This will enable Indian industries to build a highly technological manufacturing base and accelerate the growth of Indian space industry. NSIL is also looking to market space-based products to other nations. With this goal, NSIL has established strong partnership with various space companies and will be a key player in the Indian space industry.
The NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL) is a wholly-owned public sector enterprise under the administrative control of the Department of Space. The NSIL will manufacture space-based products and services and commercialise ISRO’s research and development efforts. The company’s commercialisation strategy builds on the proven heritage of the Indian space program and ISRO’s experience in various branches of space technology. NSIL plans to increase its authorised share capital to Rs 7,500 crore.