India Marks Historic Manufacturing Milestone with First Private Satellite Plant in Gujarat

India has just marked a major milestone in space technology: Gujarat has laid the foundation stone for the country’s first integrated private satellite plant in Sanand, developed by Azista Space. The facility, called the Palmnaro plant, will focus on indigenous satellite manufacturing and advanced electro-optical payloads, strengthening India’s private space sector.

The groundbreaking ceremony of Azista Space Company’s Electro-Optical Payload Factory was held at Khoraj near Ahmedabad. This facility will become India’s first private-sector satellite manufacturing plant, for which the company has signed MoUs worth over ₹500 crore with the Government of Gujarat.

Key Highlights of the Sanand Satellite Plant

• Location: Khoraj Industrial Estate, Sanand, Gujarat
• Developer: Azista Space
• Facility Name: Palmnaro Electro-Optical Payload Factory
• Foundation Ceremony Date: January 22, 2026
• Chief Guest: Gujarat Science & Technology Minister Arjun Modhwadia

Strategic Importance

• First-of-its-kind: India’s first integrated private satellite plant
• Boost to Self-Reliance: Supports Atmanirbhar Bharat
• Legacy of Vikram Sarabhai: Gujarat as a hub for space technology

Expected Impact

• Manufacturing Capacity: Advanced electro-optical payloads
• Private Sector Participation: Strengthens India’s private space ecosystem
• Economic Growth: High-skilled job creation
• Global Competitiveness: Positions India as a competitive player

Comparison: Public vs. Private Space Manufacturing in India

Aspect	ISRO (Public Sector)	Azista Space (Private Sector)
Focus	Launch vehicles, national missions	Satellite manufacturing, payloads
Funding	Government budget	Private investment, partnerships
Innovation Speed	Moderate, policy-driven	Faster, market-driven
Global Market Role	Limited exports	Potential for commercial contracts

Challenges & Considerations

• Regulatory Framework: Licensing, security, and exports
• Global Competition: Competing with SpaceX, Airbus
• Supply Chain Dependence: Need for local sourcing

About Azista Space

Azista Space is one of India’s leading private satellite technology companies, headquartered in Hyderabad, focused on industrial-scale satellite manufacturing and advanced payload engineering. It represents a major step in India’s push toward private-sector participation in space.

🛰️ Company Overview

• Name: Azista BST Aerospace (Azista Space)
• Founded: 2019 by Tom Segert
• Headquarters: Hyderabad, Telangana, India
• Core Business: Manufacturing small satellites, subsystems, payloads, and testing services
• Funding: Raised about $4.58M; valuation around ₹34.4 crore (2025)

🚀 Capabilities & Achievements

• Satellite Missions: Contributed to 75+ missions
• First Satellite: ABA First Runner (AFR), launched June 13, 2023
• Manufacturing Scale: 100,000 sq. ft. facility, capacity for 50 microsatellites annually
• Workforce: Around 100 engineers

Strategic Positioning

• End-to-End Solutions: Constellation services, payload integration, automated testing
• Global Competitiveness: Competes with Terran Orbital, Blue Canyon Tech, Reflex Aerospace
• Reliability: Mission-proven engineering with emphasis on secure systems

📊 Quick Snapshot

Attribute	Details
Founded	2019
Founder	Tom Segert
HQ	Hyderabad, India
Facility Size	100,000 sq. ft.
Annual Capacity	50 microsatellites
Funding Raised	$4.58M
Key Satellite	ABA First Runner (AFR), launched 2023
Competitors	Terran Orbital, Blue Canyon Tech, Reflex Aerospace

Challenges Ahead

• Scaling Production: Need to expand beyond microsatellites
• Policy & Regulation: Navigating India’s evolving private space framework
• Global Market Entry: Building contracts in defense and commercial markets