India and France Team Up for Heavy-Lift Rocketry

In the dynamic world of commercial space launches, where the ability to carry large payloads translates to higher profits, there’s an increasing demand for rockets capable of transporting large satellites. This demand is driven by both private companies and governments keen on establishing their own satellite networks and heavy communication satellites.

In this market, NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), a commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organization, and the French company Arianespace, have forged a long-term strategic alliance. They are among the select few capable of consistently and reliably conducting such launches, a capability demonstrated by only a handful of nations.

Arianespace and NSIL have a long history of launching satellites, starting from the early 1980s for Arianespace and 1999 for NSIL. They are known for their reliability and experience, having launched hundreds of satellites for their clients.

The business potential in this field is significant, particularly for communication satellites and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations. These satellites, often weighing between 4 to 15 tonnes, are essential for various telecommunications services and are challenging to launch due to their size. Similarly, projects like Starlink and EutelSat OneWeb, among others, are establishing vast satellite constellations to provide high-speed internet to remote areas. These projects require frequent, reliable launches of multiple satellites, a service that few rockets can provide.

The geopolitical landscape, particularly the Ukraine-Russia conflict, has led to a decrease in the use of Russian rockets. Similarly, China’s capable rockets are primarily reserved for national or commercial missions, limiting options for international customers. In this context, India’s LVM3 rocket and the upcoming Arianespace Ariane 6 are among the few capable of undertaking these missions.

India’s LVM3 has a track record of launching communication satellites and building satellite constellations, as does Arianespace’s Ariane 5 (retired in 2023), succeeded by the Ariane 6. The SpaceX Falcon9 is another significant player in this market.

NSIL and Arianespace face challenges in the number of launches they can conduct annually, as both the LVM3 and Ariane 6 are expendable rockets, unlike SpaceX’s reusable Falcon 9. NSIL’s Chairman and Managing Director, D. Radhakrishnan, highlights that their partnership aims to meet global satellite launch service market demands. This collaboration allows them to use each other’s rockets depending on availability and customer requirements, launching from their respective home bases.

India is working to increase its LVM3 production capacity, targeting four to five launches annually, eventually aiming for six to seven. Meanwhile, Arianespace is preparing for the Ariane 6’s maiden flight in mid-2024. This strategic partnership is set to combine their strengths and expand their market reach, stepping up to meet increasing commercial demands in the satellite launch sector.