Rahul Somvanshi
NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) and Space Machine Company have announced the signing of a historic Launch Service Agreement for the next Optimus spacecraft onboard a Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV). A landmark Dedicated Launch Service Agreement has been signed by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), a Government of India company under the Department of Space and the commercial arm of ISRO, and Space Machines Company, an Australian-Indian in-space servicing firm. This collaboration sets the stage for the launch of Space Machine Company’s second Optimus spacecraft, weighing 450 kg.
This spacecraft is the largest Australian-designed and built spacecraft so far. This mission, slated for a DedicatedLaunch on board NSIL/ ISRO’s Small Satellite Launch Vehicle in 2026, will mark a defining moment for both nations in the area of space collaboration. The signing of the Launch Service Agreement was formally announced by Rajat Kulshrestha, CEO and co-founder of Space Machines Company, and Radha Krishnan Durairaj, Chairman and Managing Director of NSIL, at the India Space Congress 2024 held in New Delhi.
Radhakrishnan Durairaj, NSIL Chairman and MD, said, “This collaboration with Space Machines Company exemplifies the spirit of international cooperation in space and highlights the strategic partnership between Australia and India. As a Launch service provider for the Optimus spacecraft, we are not only fostering the growth of our respective space industries but also contributing to the sustainable exploration and utilisation of space.”.
Named Space MAITRI (Mission for Australia-India’s Technology, Research, and Innovation), this mission marks a significant milestone in the strategic partnership between Australia and India in the space domain, fostering closer ties between commercial, institutional, and governmental space organizations from both nations.
Rajat Kulshrestha, CEO and Co-Founder of SMC, said, “The space MAITRI mission and our collaboration with NewSpace India Limited represents a significant leap forward for Australia’s space industry. By combining our innovative spacecraft capabilities with India’s proven launch expertise, we are not only strengthening the ties between our nation’s space sectors but also demonstrating our shared commitment to sustainable space operations.”
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Several Australian and Indian partner companies, including Digantara, Ananth Technologies, The University of Adelaide, The University of Sydney, The University of Technology Sydney, LeoLabs, Advanced Navigation, and the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), are working with Space Machines Company on the Space MAITRI mission. The mission aligns with the core values and objectives of both Australia and India, promoting responsible space operations and mitigating the growing threat of space debris, by focusing on debris management and sustainability.
Enrico Palermo, the head of the Australian Space Agency, stated that the agreement is a critical step in advancing Australia’s space history and bolstering our ties with India. “Like India, Australia’s commercial space sector is rapidly growing, and we are producing innovative space technologies that benefit life on Earth. The mission will inspire future explorers and further enhance international cooperation in this critical domain,” stated Palermo. So the bottom line is that NSIL and SMC have announced the signing of a historic Launch Service Agreement for the next Optimus spacecraft onboard a Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV).
