India’s First Commercial PSLV to Propel Oceansat into Orbit Early Next Year

Next year, India will launch its first fully industry-produced PSLV rocket, to be manufactured by a consortium led by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and Larsen and Toubro (L&T) under NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL). The historic mission marks a significant step towards transferring PSLV manufacturing to the private Indian industry, with five such rockets already contracted by NSIL. The first orbiter, called PSLV-N1, is scheduled for early 2026 and will carry a technology demonstration satellite designed to test multiple innovative technologies of Indian origin.

HAL and L&T Build First Industry-Manufactured PSLV

• NSIL has procured five PSLV-XL launch vehicles through a HAL (lead) and L&T consortium. 

• The contract was signed under a model termed the government-owned-contractor-operated (GOCO) model, utilizing ISRO facilities. 

• The consortium supplied propellant raw materials to SDSC-SHAR as part of the initial stage of the solid motors of the first PSLV-N1. 

• The equity share in the consortium is L&T and HAL (52:48, respectively). 

• It is estimated that the contract is for ₹860 crore to manufacture the 5 rockets. 

• Approximately 80 percent of the mechanical systems and 60 percent of the electronics in the first vehicle are the capability of industry partners. 

• The first fully industry-produced PSLV will roll out in Q1 of 2025, according to the annual report of ISRO.

Conclusion

The first commercial PSLV launch in India is a revolutionary event in the space industry in the country and evidence of the strength of the emerging private industry in satellite and launch vehicle manufacturing. As Oceansat will be launched to ride this historic mission at the beginning of next year, India will be able to enhance its ocean surveillance at the same time, as it will usher in a new age of commercial space activities and technology.