India Opens Heavy-Lift LVM-3 Rocket to Private Sector Through Technology Transfer
India's space regulator IN-SPACe has invited expressions of interest for transferring technology of the LVM-3 launch vehicle to private industry, marking a shift from a previous failed public-private partnership attempt by NSIL. The move aligns with India's 2020 space sector reforms aimed at expanding private sector participation in launch services and spacecraft manufacturing. This initiative could enable Indian companies to manufacture and commercialize the country's heaviest operational rocket for global markets.
India's space regulator IN-SPACe has issued a call for expressions of interest to transfer technology for the LVM-3 launch vehicle—the country's heaviest operational rocket—to private industry. This represents a new approach following the withdrawal of a previous request for proposals by Space PSU NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) over two years ago, which had sought private partners through a public-private partnership model but failed to select an industry partner. The technology transfer initiative aligns with India's broader 2020 space sector reforms designed to expand private sector involvement in launch services and spacecraft manufacturing. IN-SPACe will provide Isro handholding and support for 42 months or until the selected private entity successfully launches two LVM-3 vehicles, whichever comes first. If successful, this would be the third of four operational Isro rockets transferred to private hands, following similar initiatives for the PSLV and SSLV. The LVM-3, previously known as GSLV-Mk3, gained international commercial visibility by successfully launching 72 satellites for UK-based OneWeb across two missions in 2022-2023.
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- Times of IndiaCenter
After NSIL’s PPP bid, IN-SPACe opens LVM-3 to private sector with ToT push
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