Ananth Technologies Becomes First Indian Firm To Tap Global Space Markets, Forms JV With US Firm Saturn Satellites

In a positive development for the private sector's participation in India's evolution as a space power, Hyderabad based aerospace firm Ananth Technologies is set to form a joint venture with the United States (US) based satellite operator Satur Satellites, reports Economic Times.

To be called SaAn Satellite Networks India, the joint venture will initially build two communication satellites which will be launched into space using the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)'s tried and tested workhorse PSLV rocket.

The launch would be managed by New Space India Limited which is a Central Public Sector Enterprise under the administrative control of the Department of Space.

The development gains significance as Ananth technologies is the first Indian company to tap the global market since the Government had opened up the space sector to private sector firms earlier this year as a part of its Atmanirbhar Bharat policy push. The private companies are now allowed to build satellites and rockets, and also offer services from the country.

The company would manufacture 300-700 kg satellites at its all-new facility in Bengaluru. As per company's chairman and managing director Subba Rao Pavuluri, "There are very few companies who make communication satellites in this (300-700 kg) class. Rest of the world is concentrating on smaller satellites. PSLV is uniquely placed to be most economical and proven to launch them."

It should be noted that Ananth Technologies has been an established supplier of satellite systems and sub-systems for ISRO and has also performed the job of integrating solar panels for satellites.