The top 5 space agencies of India are those that can reshape the space sector of the world. Today India’s space sector is open to the private sector so there are many space agencies including the public sector and private sector but we are discussing only the Top 5 Space Agencies in India. India’s space journey was started in 1962 after the incorporation of INCOSPAR ( Indian National Committee for Space Research ), But today India is leading in the space sector of the world.
Top 5 Space Agencies of India
(1) ISRO ( Indian Space Research Organisation ):
ISRO is the public sector space agency of India and one of the oldest space agencies in the world, founded in 1969 after the dissolution of INCOSPAR. ISRO is top leading space organization in research & development and innovation in the world. Its major milestones were Chandrayaan-1, Mangalyaan, and Chandrayaan-3. Currently, ISRO is working on the Gaganyaan mission, Chandrayaan-4 or LUPEX and Shukrayaan-1. ISRO is also developing new launch vehicles like SSLV (Small Satellite Launch Vehicle), NGLV (Next Generation Launch Vehicle) and RLV ( Reusable Launch Vehicle).
ISRO secures the first position in the list of the Top 5 Space Agencies of India.
(2) NSIL ( New Space India Limited ):
NSIL (New Space India Limited) is a public-sector space agency founded in 2019 to support the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The primary objective behind the establishment of NSIL is to handle the launch of all commercial satellites, thereby capturing a significant share of the multi-billion dollar satellite launch market. This strategic move aimed to free ISRO from these operational activities, enabling it to concentrate on research, development, and space exploration initiatives.
Currently, ISRO is in the process of developing India’s second satellite launching station in Kulasekharapatnam, Tamil Nadu, in addition to the existing one at Sriharikota. This new facility will be transferred to NSIL (New Space India Limited) to handle the commercial launch of satellites. Moreover, the second satellite launching station will serve as a launching pad for private sector space agencies,
ISRO is currently working on the development of a new launch vehicle designed specifically for small satellites, known as SSLV (Small Satellite Launch Vehicle). This vehicle will be transferred to NSIL (New Space India Limited). Notably, NSIL is not primarily a research and development organization; rather, it functions as an entity utilizing the technologies developed by ISRO. Its focus lies in operationalizing and commercializing space-related activities, thereby supporting ISRO’s broader objectives.NSIL is a commercial wing of ISRO.
Antrix Corporation Limited is a public sector company founded in 1992 as the commercial arm of ISRO and is responsible for marketing and selling products and services developed by ISRO, While Antrix itself cannot independently launch satellites, its significance has diminished with the establishment of NSIL (NewSpace India Limited).
NSIL holds the second position among the Top 5 Space Agencies of India.
(3) Skyroot Aerospace
Skyroot Aerospace Private Limited is an Indian startup founded in 2018 by two former scientists of ISRO, Pawan Kumar Chandana and Naga Bharath Daka who graduated from the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT). It is based in Hyderabad in Telangana State.
Skyroot Aerospace is currently the sole private company in India that has independently developed its launch vehicle, Vikram-1. Specifically designed for the launch of small satellites, the company has successfully tested its sounding rocket, Vikram-S.
Skyroot Aerospace claims that the only startup in the world that can carry a payload ranging from 200-700 kg in low earth orbit. It designed and developed its rockets which are not very complicated so these rockets can be assembled and launched within a few days on demand.
Read also Skyroot Aerospace: India’s SpaceX
Read also: Vikram-1: India’s first private orbital class rocket
So, Skyroot Aerospace is placed 3rd in the list of the Top 5 Space Agencies of India.
(4) Agnikul Cosmos
Agnikul Cosmos Private Limited is also a startup from IIT-Madras. Is also developing its 3D-printed launching vehicle “Agnibaan”, this rocket is the most flexible in the world because this rocket can accommodate different types of payloads by using different types of engine configurations.
Agnikul focuses on launching nano, micro, and small satellites and it is the only private Space Agency in India that has its launching pad in Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Shri Harikota other than the ISRO. Currently, Agnikul has access to more than 10 launching ports in the world and this number can be 25+.
Read also Agnikul Cosmos: India’s New Age Space Startup
Read also Agnibaan: India’s 3D Printed Rocket
Agnikul Cosmos secures the fourth position in the list of the Top 5 Space Agencies of India.
(5) Dhruva Space
Dhruva Space is the oldest private space agency in India, it was established in 2012. this startup offers full-stack engineering solutions from developing a satellite, launching of satellite, and building ground stations for tracking and monitoring of satellite of its customer.
Dhruva Space has signed an MOU with ISRO, Skyroot, SpaceX, and other space agencies to launch satellites. This startup has developed many technologies for developing satellites.
Read also Dhruva Space- India’s 1st Spacetech Startup
In the list of Top 5 Space Agencies of India, Dhruva Space secures 5th position.
Other Space Agency in India
Other than these Top 5 Space Agencies of India there are also some renowned space agencies in India, which are highly acclaimed in the world.
(1) Pixxel
Pixxel is a private space agency in India, it is a space data company that collects data on Earth through its most advanced constellation of hyperspectral earth imaging satellites related to agriculture, energy, mining, and many more and sells these data in the open market.
Read also Pixxel: Unlocking the Future with a New Age Space Startup
(2) Bellatrix Aerospace
Bellatrix Aerospace is an Indian private space agency founded in 2015 and it is based in Banglore, Karnataka. It has developed a mono-propellant thruster, green thruster, and electric thruster and it has successfully launched an experimental payload Hall-effect-thruster (HET) by ISRO’s PSLV C-55 mission, this startup getting ready to start its commercial journey by 2026.
The Indian government supports private space agencies in India because the globally small satellite market is a multimillion-dollar market that was valued at $3215.9 million in 2020 and is projected to witness substantial growth, reaching $13,711.7 million by 2030 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.4%. Currently, this market is dominated by Elon Musk’s company Space-X.
We have discussed the Top 5 Space Agencies of India and also other space agencies in India which doing great!
