TN rocket port in private hands: Is IN-SPACe becoming Centre’s space privatisation arm?

The question has gained significance after the autonomous single-window agency recently invited Indian companies to operate and maintain ISRO’s upcoming Rs 1,000-Crore new Small-satellite Launch Complex (SLC) in Kulasekarapattinam in Tamil Nadu’s Thoothukudi district. The announcement has also raised questions on IN-SPACe’s powers to make such calls, the authority to facilitate transfer of ISRO’s technology to private players, and whether the new SLC under a private body will be equipped enough to run an independent show.

Who authorised the move?

Curiously enough, DoP Secretary and ISRO Chairman Dr V Narayanan, and IN-SPACe Chairman Dr Pawan Kumar Goenka declined to answer whether the DoS has authorised IN-SPACe to facilitate the transfer of the operational control of a publicly funded ISRO launch facility to a private company and also for transferring technology of other assets like rockets.

Industry officials believe IN-SPACe is not an agency meant to undertake technology transfer of ISRO’s assets.

“It is also not known whether the Space Commission has given its express nod for such an activity,” a retired top official of the Indian space sector told The Federal, preferring anonymity.

Also read: ISRO's strategic satellite delays expose cracks in India's space readiness

IN-SPACe had called for Expressions of Interest (EOI) from Indian-owned and controlled private players to operate and maintain ISRO’s new SLC in a recent notification.

“In alignment with the space sector reforms announced by the Government of India and the Indian Space Policy-2023, which open space operations to private sector participation, the department is proposing to hand over the responsibility of operation and management of SLC located at Kulasekarapattinam in Thoothukudi district to an Indian private firm. The IN-SPACe, through ISRO, will facilitate the handing over of facilities established in SLC to Selected Party for operation and management,” the statement read.

“To facilitate a smooth transition and capability development, ISRO will provide the selected party with the necessary technical guidance, operational support, training, and handholding assistance for a defined period up to the completion of three launch services provided by the Selected Party to launch vehicle operators, or one year, whichever is earlier,” it added.

Earlier, IN-SPACe had called for EOIs from the private sector for ISRO’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and the LVM3 rocket.

Is technology transfer IN-SPACe’s mandate?

Industry officials believe IN-SPACe is not an agency meant to undertake technology transfer of ISRO’s assets.

“IN-SPACe is basically an authorisation agency as the name suggests. ISRO has the technology and NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) is mandated to exploit it commercially,” a retired top official of ISRO, not wanting to be named, had told this writer earlier.

It should be noted that IN-SPACe was involved in the transfer of technology of ISRO’s other rocket, the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV), for Rs 511 crore to Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL).

Also read: Why are top scientists quitting ISRO?

Another former ISRO official added: “IN-SPACe should focus on policies that would facilitate easy access to ISRO facilities for the private space sector players, faster frequency clearances and other aspects. Commercialisation of ISRO’s assets should be done by NSIL.”

The IN-SPACe website also doesn’t mention technology transfer in its job description. “IN-SPACe, is responsible to promote, enable authorize and supervise various space activities of the NGEs (non-government enterprise) that include, among others, the building of launch vehicles and satellites and providing space-based services; sharing of space infrastructure and premises under the control of DOS (Department of Space)/ISRO; and establishment of new space infrastructure and facilities (sic),” the IN-SPACe website says on its About Us page.

‘TN port can’t survive without Sriharikota’

Experts in the space sector believe the new rocket launching port cannot operate without the support of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

“The upcoming rocket port cannot operate independently of ISRO's major rocket port in Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh as it lacks facilities like weather monitoring, control centres, radars, liquid propulsion services and others,” a former top official of ISRO told The Federal.

Also read: ISRO’s PSLV failure: Who pays when rocket missions go wrong?

“The network operations required for launch cannot be done by that port. The connections for downrange stations, data flow, ground computers, and range safety functions cannot be handled by that port," the official said.

Last year, ISRO had clearly delineated the structure and functions of the upcoming rocket launching unit in Kulasekarapattinam.

If the transfer happens, private entities can only manage the facility and will have little role in complex operations, a senior retired ISRO official said.

“The SLC consists of stage preparation and vehicle integration buildings, launch pad and rail track systems, range systems, checkout systems, telemetry and tele-command systems, safety and firefighting facilities, and general civic amenities. Major systems including the Mobile Launch Structure (MLS), bogies, platforms, doors, Jet Deflection Duct and vibration isolation systems have been designed by SDSC SHAR. Major range systems such as radars, telecommand, and telemetry are being developed in-house and being realised through industry partnerships, with support from other ISRO centres including VSSC, SAC, ISTRAC and IISU," ISRO said in a statement.

Better if ISRO runs port, say experts

If the transfer happens, private entities can only manage the facility and will have little role in complex operations, another senior retired ISRO official told The Federal.

“Launch is a professional activity where safety is paramount and must be a state activity,” the official added.

“When launches take place from Kulasekarapattinam, the rocket port in Sriharikota cannot make launches for some days due to overlapping of work. ISRO staff have to support the launches due to the above issues,” a retired top official of ISRO told The Federal.

Also read: How ISRO-NASA’s NISAR satellite will revolutionise earth monitoring from space

The official said that it is better if ISRO operates the port instead of a third party.

However, there are other sector officials who are of the view that the upcoming port will house all the facilities needed to operate independently of the Sriharikota rocket port. They cite the example of the United States, where all ports are operated by the government, but the private sector is allowed to build or rent facilities and not have full control.

Why Kulasekarapattinam?

The upcoming rocket port is being built at an outlay of about Rs 1,000 crore (Rs 10 billion) on about 2,300 acres and is also expected to serve the launch requirements of private rocket makers. The rocket port is scheduled to be ready in 2026.

ISRO officials said the location is suitable for rockets flying southwards as it is on the east coast and close to the equator.

It will also be advantageous for placing satellites in polar orbit, a task currently undertaken by PSLV.

Also read: TN CM Vijay makes strong pitch for funds and projects, backs cooperative federalism

Further, the fuel cost is expected to come down if rockets are launched from Kulasekarapattinam as they will have a more direct trajectory and will not have to avoid Sri Lanka, as rockets launched from Sriharikota currently do. Lower fuel requirements would mean increased payload or satellite carrying capacity.

Major space-faring nations have multiple rocket launching sites, and India too is seeking to expand its launch infrastructure as the private space sector grows.

In fact, it was former Tamil Nadu chief minister and DMK chief M Karunanidhi who had written to the Centre seeking a rocket port for Tamil Nadu.