- US-based satellite rideshare and mission management provider Spaceflight has signed a deal with New Space India Ltd (NSIL) for payload slot on the first commercial launch of Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV).
- The SSLV has been developed by ISRO. Its first flight is expected to take place from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in late 2019.
- SSLV rockets are capable of putting a payload of 500 kg to mid-inclination Low Earth Orbit (LEO). It can also put a payload of 300 kg to Sun Synchronous Orbit (SSO)
- NSIL is a recently established commercial subsidiary of the ISRO. It is under the administrative control of Department of Space (DOS).
- The NSIL has been set up to meet the increasing demands of Indian space programmes and to commercially exploit the emerging global space market.
- The main functions of NSIL are: a) Manufacture of Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) in collaboration with Private Sector, b) production of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) through Indian Industry, c) production and marketing of Space based products and services, including launch and application, d) Transfer of technology developed by ISRO Centres and constituent units of DOS and e) Marketing spin-off technologies and products/services, both in India and abroad.
- NSIL is the second commercial entity of the Department of Space (DoS) after Antrix Corporation Limited which was set up in 1992. Antrix was established to market the products and services of the ISRO.
