Bangalore-based Alpha Design Technologies Pvt. Ltd, a manufacturer and technological services provider in India's defence and paramilitary markets, announced the signing of a contract with Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Indian space agency, for assembly, integration and testing of IRNSS satellites.

The ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC), has signed an agreement with a consortium led by Alpha Design Technologies Pvt Ltd, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and the Tatas to assemble satellites.

Notably, this is the first set of agreements signed by ISRO, which is trying to rope in private partners to overcome its own constraints. The space agency is encouraging private players to form a small consortium to undertake satellite and rocket manufacturing work so that it can remain focused on research and development.

Each consortium led by Alpha Design, Tata, and BEL respectively, will work independently.

The Alpha Design-led consortium consists of six small and medium-sized enterprises, including Newtech Solutions; Aidin Technologies and DCX Cables from Bengaluru; Vinyas Technologies from Mysuru and Avantel Systems of Hyderabad. and Exseed Speed.

Also Read - India’s ISRO To Take On SpaceX With Its Own Smart and Reusable Rockets

Together, these private firms are expected to build at least 7 to 9 satellites -- divided equally between Alpha, BEL and Tata -- per year. The agreement is for three years and is extendable for two more years. The satellites will be assembled at ISRO Satellite Integration and Test Establishment (ISITE) facilities, which will separate enclosures for all the companies under ISAC/ISRO.

About Alpha Design Technologies, the startup offers its capabilities in delivering advanced defence electronics and aero structures, as well as R&D and manufacturing. The startup, under the guidance of ISRO, had already integrated and tested the high-end 1.65 tonne IRNSS-1i successfully. The satellite was launched on April 12, 2018, and is functioning excellently in outer space.

In next two years, the startup -- with the help of ISRO -- will be investing in creating, an ultra-modern satellite manufacturing, assembly, integration, and testing and qualification facilities, with a view to independently supply four to five satellites to ISRO.

As of now the startup is busy selecting 70 of their top rated employees which include engineers, diploma holders and ITI qualified, for them to be trained at ISRO for nine months. During the training at ISRO, the Alpha Design Technologies team would be assisted in on-job learning followed by actual assembly, integration and testing.

Speaking at the announcement, Colonel H. S. Shankar, Chairman and Managing Director, Alpha Design Technologies, said, “As part of the contract, initially our teams would get minimum ISRO supervision and later would independently be making complete satellites.”

Looking at the future prospective engagements with ISRO, Alpha Design Technologies is expecting to add more than 400 engineers, diploma holders and ITI qualified personnel to be part of Alpha Group, with annual turnover of Rs. 200 crore to Rs. 250 crore. The company had recently signed a multi-million dollar contract with Elbit Systems for manufacturing of 600 VHF communication devices for exports and later for large scale manufacture to cater for the requirements of the Armoured Corps.

Alpha Design is reportedly also planning to build its own facilities in the next 3-5 years. It is also scouting for investors and planning for an initial public offering (IPO) to mobilise funds to back the plan.

To recall, in March this year, ISRO has also tied up with Kerala to set up India's first of its kind ‘space park’ with the technical support from ISRO, in order to incubate and promote startups in the satellite and space technology sector.

Via - Business Standard

[Top Image - INSAT-3DR seen with two halves of payload faring of GSLV-F05 | Via - Zee Business]
Advertisements

Post a Comment

Previous Post Next Post
Like this content? Sign up for our daily newsletter to get latest updates.