Private sector participation in LVM3 production could mean a boom in the space sector

The US government was about to close the door on this workhorse. Somnath remembers being stunned that the United States was the world leader in space technology at the time. Now, with the benefit of hindsight, Somnath sees that decision as crucial to maintaining U.S. leadership in space.

As India’s commercial space sector grows, we are at a similar point. India’s most powerful launch vehicle, Launch Vehicle Mark-III (LVM3), will soon be manufactured by the private sector, while Isro will focus on pioneering deep space exploration and cutting-edge research.

Retiring the Space Shuttle created an opportunity: When the United States retired the Space Shuttle, NASA did not have a replacement spacecraft ready. It used the Russian Soyuz to transport American astronauts to the ISS and back. After a nine-year break, the next manned orbital launch from U.S. territory was SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft mounted on a private company’s Falcon 9 rocket.

Lower Earth orbit (LEO) was a well-trodden frontier. NASA, which had been flying to LEO for decades, could focus on more ambitious goals by withdrawing the Space Shuttle and its operations to LEO. Moreover, this change gave the private sector a chance to step in and fill the void left by the space shuttle.

The burgeoning American space industry has developed enormous capabilities in LEO, which has led to the appearance of an avalanche of private spacecraft capable of carrying crew and cargo into orbit. Their pursuit of competitive advantage spurred the development of reusable spacecraft, reducing launch costs by an astonishing 95% compared to the space shuttle era. These advances have done wonders for the accessibility of space, opening wider doors for NASA and many space and satellite companies around the world.

We can create similar opportunities in India: India has also implemented similar reforms since 2020 to benefit from private sector participation in space. The new policy landscape aims to relieve Isro of routine production and operational tasks. This includes the production of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) and LVM3.

The plan is in progress. Production orders have been placed with industry consortiums dealing with PSLV. SSLV technology will also be transferred to private producers. Recently, the private sector was invited to build LVM3.

This way, Isro can focus on goals ranging from crewed spaceflight for the upcoming Gaganyaan mission, building the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV), a more advanced semi-reusable heavy launch vehicle, and ultimately placing an Indian space station in LEO.

Transfer of technical knowledge from Isro to the private sector for LVM3 production will disseminate key space expertise. These capabilities could then increase the supply of Indian launch vehicles to meet the growing global demand for launch services.

In 2022, Isro’s commercial arm successfully launched LVM3 as part of a major commercial order, placing 36 satellites on the LEO platform. Private sector involvement will enable more such missions as it adds elements of scale and collaboration that Isro cannot achieve on its own.

Currently, Isro produces two LVM3s per year, but leveraging private sector advantages, the target is to increase this number to six. This improvement will accelerate Isro’s plans and ensure timely launch schedules. Increasing the frequency of LVM3 flights for exclusive use or shared rides will generate greater customer interest.

Let’s promote vertical and horizontal innovation: The private sector is free to build on (and in parallel with) Isro’s innovations. Isro is testing semi-cryogenic technology to increase the payload and range of the LVM3. Private space companies could improve the LVM3 design, introduce new technologies and offer innovative solutions to enhance its heavy-lifting capabilities.

Using one large launch vehicle to transport multiple payloads enables efficient and synchronized delivery of a variety of payloads, efficiently using available resources and reducing overall mission costs. This approach significantly reduces the costs associated with transporting each load. This is currently the most cost-effective way to reach orbit.

The global launch service shortage presents an opportunity for India’s emerging space industry. However, Indian rocket launch companies must compete with the likes of SpaceX, which boasts the heaviest rockets and the highest levels of reusability.

LVM3 is India’s best launch vehicle, but in our efforts to increase innovation and reduce costs, we need more than one competitive launch vehicle. Competition will ultimately enable India to build more rockets and launch more payloads, leading to a greater share of the global space market. This is a huge and transformative opportunity.