Image used for representational purposes. File | Photo credit: Reuters
ISRO has lined up seven launch missions by March next year, including one to demonstrate home-grown electric propulsion systems for satellite and quantum key distribution technologies and the first unmanned mission under the Gaganyaan project.
The first of seven starts is expected next week.
India’s heaviest rocket, the LVM3, will put the Bluebird-6 communications satellite into orbit for the US-based AST Spacemobile under a commercial agreement with ISRO’s New Space India Limited (NSIL), Union Minister Jitendra Singh told Parliament recently.
The human-rated LVM3 will take to the skies early next year and will carry out the first unmanned mission of India’s human space flight, Gaganyaan, with the robot ‘Vyommitra’ on board the crew module.
One more uncrewed mission is planned for next year before ISRO sends Indian astronauts into low Earth orbit in 2027.
“The first unmanned Gaganyaan mission to demonstrate a comprehensive mission including aerodynamic characterization of the human-rated launch vehicle, orbital module mission, re-entry and crew module recovery,” Mr Singh said.
Next year will also see the launch of India’s first Industrially Produced Polar Satellite (PSLV) to carry the Oceansat satellite into orbit. The PSLV will carry two more passengers – the joint Indo-Mauritius satellite and the LEAP-2 satellite from the Dhruva space.
To increase commercial satellite launches, NSIL awarded a contract to the HAL-L&T consortium to manufacture five PSLV rockets under a technology transfer agreement signed in September 2025.
The PSLV built by ISRO will put into orbit an Earth observation satellite (EOS-N1) for a strategic user and 18 smaller satellites of Indian and international customers.
The GSLV-Mk II rocket is expected to launch the EOS-5 or GISAT-1A satellite to replace GISAT-1, which failed to reach its intended orbit in 2021.
ISRO’s PSLV63 mission will launch the TDS-01 satellite into orbit to demonstrate technologies such as high-thrust electric propulsion system, quantum key distribution and home-made traveling wave tube amplifier.
The High Thrust Electric Propulsion System (HTEP) will enable ISRO to launch all electric satellites in the future. This technology will make satellites lighter and reduce dependence on chemical fuels.
“Technologies and components once proven in TDS-01 will be used in navigation and communication missions in the near future,” Mr Singh said.
The four-ton communications satellite carries more than two tons of liquid fuel, which is used to fire thrusters to steer the satellite in space. But in the case of electric drive, the fuel consumption will come down to just 200 kg, the official said.
As the weight of the fuel is reduced, the satellite based on the electric propulsion system will weigh no more than two tons, but will still have the performance of a 4-ton satellite.
A custom TWT (Traveling Wave Tube) amplifier will enable reliance on critical satellite transponder technologies.
The Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) will also launch a dedicated satellite by March 2026.
Published – 14 Dec 2025 19:39 IST
