Rakesh also noted that the “negative” attitude of the corporates towards the space business was hurting despite the country having very good technologies and a huge opportunity to do business. “We are looking for someone to be willing to put money in the space business,” he affirmed.

The world over, companies like SpaceX are able to produce launch vehicles (rockets) despite its technologies being exclusive and the quality required is of high standard. Hence, the Indian space agency is also looking at massive technological transformations. “Many design concepts are changing in the space industry. Satellite constellations are being looked at as they give the advantage that if one component does not work in space, the rest of the constellation continues to function,” he pointed out.

Of Antrix’s Rs 2,100-crore turnover in fiscal 2017-18, launch services contributed Rs 250 crore. “We have an order book of Rs 980 crore, with Rs 500-600 crore contracts in pipeline for launch services in this fiscal (2018-19) and next fiscal (2019-2020),” added Rakesh. With ISRO eyeing two launches a month to meet the country’s growing demand for multi-purpose satellites, the space agency and its commercial arm have busy years ahead.