New Delhi. Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) commercial arm NSIL on Wednesday said that its latest rocket SSLV will make its first commercial launch to put the satellite ‘Optimus’ built by Australia’s ‘Space Machines Company’ into orbit. This announcement was made jointly by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) and Space Machines Company at the ‘India Space Congress’ organised by Satcom Industry Association-India.
The collaboration sets the stage for the launch of Space Machines Company’s second ‘Optimus’ spacecraft, weighing 450 kg, the heaviest spacecraft ever designed and built by Australia, NSIL said in a statement.
NSIL Chairman and Managing Director Radhakrishnan Durairaj told PTI, “This will be the first confirmed commercial launch for SSLV (Small Satellite Launch Vehicle). The first commercial launch was of 10 kg nano satellite Janus under the SSLV-D2 mission.” This satellite is to be launched through SSLV in 2026. This mission named ‘Space Maitri’ will be a defining moment for India and Australia in the field of space cooperation.