According to PTI report, the industry estimates that the satellite launch market in India is expected to grow from US$720 million in 2022 to US$3.5 billion by 2033. Small satellites are likely to be most effective for many experiments ranging from providing internet connectivity to earth observation.
The report says that space start-up companies like Pixxel and Satsure have already announced plans to create a group of small satellites for their services. Indian companies are trying to make indigenous rockets the world’s choice for launching small satellites into orbit.
Indian Space Association Director General Lieutenant General AK Bhatt (retd) told PTI that bigger rockets are available, but due to the large number of satellite launches, companies do not want to wait. She wants to launch the satellite as soon as possible. For this reason small rockets have been prepared.
According to the report, Pixel is looking to use ISRO’s launch vehicles to place its hyper-spectral satellites in orbit by the end of this year. Pixel CEO Awais Ahmed told PTI in July that out of the six satellites the company is making, three will be launched with SpaceX and three with ISRO.
Hyderabad based Skyroot Aerospace has recently tested the Stage 2 engine. This will power the Vikram-1 rocket. There is a plan to launch the rocket by the end of this year. Similarly, Agnikul Cosmos developed by IIT-Madras can also launch its orbital rocket ‘Agnibaan’ next year.