In a significant move towards bolstering the Indian space industry, this past week, IN-SPACe carried out a technology transfer on Wednesday. The occasion marked a noteworthy juncture in the nation’s space endeavours, as five vital technologies developed at the Space Applications Centre under ISRO were passed on to the private sector.

The first technology handed over was the X-band mini-Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), commonly mounted on Beechcraft Super King B-200 aircraft flying at altitudes of 8 kilometres. This miniaturised Airborne SAR operates at X-Band and has multifaceted applications encompassing agriculture, disaster management, oceanography, land-use analysis, geology, and cartography. It has found new stewards in Data Patterns, headquartered in Chennai, and Astra Microwave, situated in Hyderabad.

Another game-changing technology that changed hands was the ground penetration radar (GPR). This innovation holds immense potential in security applications such as landmine detection and locating buried objects at depths of 6-10 meters below the surface. It has been entrusted to a firm based in Thiruvananthapuram.

The third technology under the spotlight was the six-port monopole antenna feed technology, which was conferred upon a Hyderabad-based company. Additionally, the Optical Imaging System, a technology born from the SAC-Isro stable, was bequeathed to Optimise Solution Private Limited in Ahmedabad.

A mobile satellite service (MSS) terminal designed for two-way communication and tracking, especially for fishermen, was handed over to Azista Aerospace Pvt Ltd, an Ahmedabad-based company renowned for its contributions to satellite-enabled ground systems, including hydrometeorology solutions.

IN-SPACe, functioning as a single-window, autonomous agency within the Department of Space (DOS), serves as a pivotal catalyst in facilitating private sector participation in India’s ambitious space ventures.

Nilesh Desai, Director of SAC-ISRO, expressed enthusiasm about the technology transfers, stating, “The five crucial technologies were transferred to private players who have been working in the space sector. There is a strong focus on application-driven programs and utilizing space technologies for public purposes.”

This momentous move not only strengthens India’s position in the global space race but also underscores the nation’s commitment to harnessing space technology for the betterment of society. As private enterprises embrace these technologies, India’s space sector is poised for significant growth and innovation.