Aerospace firm Ananth Technologies will set up a joint venture (JV) with US satellite operator Saturn Satellites to build two communication satellites initially. It will launch them using the Indian space agency’s workhorse PSLV rocket.
The Hyderabad-based company will build the 300-700 kg satellites at its newly opened facility in Bengaluru, Karnataka and launch them using the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) tried and tested Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle.
The launch will be managed by New Space India, an entity created to engage with the industry to build and launch satellites on Indian soil. The joint venture will be named SaAn Satellite Networks India.
There are very few companies who make communication satellites in 300-700 kg class. The rest of the world is concentrating on smaller satellites.
The company will build the NationSat communication satellite for both the global market as well as tap the Indian market, which allows private firms to operate satellites.
Indian companies can build satellites at 30 percent lower costs than in the West, besides renting the existing space infrastructure built by ISRO to offer end-to-end integrated satellite building capabilities to launch services at competitive rates.
The company has been a supplier of satellite systems and sub-systems for India’s space agency and integrated solar panels for these satellites. Its new facility is designed to fully integrate satellites for both local and overseas customers.
Antrix Corp, the commercial arm of ISRO, had contracted in the past with EADS Astrium to build a communication satellite for British media firm Avanti Screenmedia Group.
Other upcoming full-fledged satellite production initiatives include the proposed production facility to be built jointly between Berlin Space Technologies and Ahmedabad-based Azista Aerospace.