A Closer Look at New Space India Limited (NSIL)

New Space India Limited (NSIL) was established by the Government of India in March 2019. This Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) operates under the administrative control of the Department of Space (DoS). Its primary role is to commercially exploit the research and development work of ISRO centres and constituent units of DoS.

• NSIL was inaugurated to cater to the growing demands of the Indian space programme and to exploit the emerging global space market commercially.

Key Responsibilities of NSIL

NSIL has been entrusted with several roles and functions as part of its mandate.

• Production of launch vehicles through Indian Industry –
  • PSLV – NSIL is the nodal agency for undertaking PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) production through Indian Industry.
  • SSLV – NSIL is tasked with manufacturing SSLV (Small Satellite Launch Vehicle) through Indian Industry partners.
• Provision of Launch Services –
  • NSIL is in charge of providing launch services to global satellite customers onboard SSLV, PSLV, GSLV (Geosynchronous Launch Vehicle), and GSLV MkIII (Mark III) launchers.
• Transfer of Technologies –
  • NSIL has been mandated to transfer the technologies developed by DoS/ISRO so that the advantages of the space programme can be extended to Indian industries, thereby contributing to technological self-reliance and national development.
• Construction of satellites for earth observation, communication, and provision of in-orbit delivery services for customers.

Exploring NSIL’s  LMV3 Mission

NSIL has entered into two launch service contracts with UK-based Network Access Associated Limited (OneWeb) for launching OneWeb Low Earth Orbit (LEO) broadband communication satellites (72 satellites) on board ISRO’s LVM 3 (Launch Vehicle Mark 3, earlier known as GSLV-Mk III).

• On 23 October 2022, ISRO’s LVM-3 launched 36 satellites of OneWeb.
• ISRO’s LVM-3 placed 36 OneWeb satellites in orbit in its second commercial launch on March 26, 2023.
• This contract with OneWeb marks a historic milestone for NSIL and ISRO as LMV3 enters the global commercial launch service market.