New Delhi: Hyderabad-based Avantel has secured a Rs 122.58 crore contract from the commercial arm of ISRO, New Space India Limited (NSIL) for supplying, installing and commissioning S/X-band antennas with Ka-band-ready full motion capability. The advanced antenna system will support Telemetry, Tracking and Command (TTC) as well as data reception for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, bolstering India’s ground infrastructure for satellite communications and mission operations. The project is part of ground segment development initiatives by NSIL, and is slated for completion by August 2027. The milestone highlights the role of private companies in expanding indigenous capabilities for satellite operations and ground systems.
Avantel will be setting up a Ground Segment as a Service (GSaaS) Facility as part of the agreement, which includes an antenna farm supporting various frequency bands. This facility will cater to commercial needs, and will feature advanced IT infrastructure, data acquisition support and high-speed network integration for seamless operations. Avantel has received authorisation from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), the single window clearing agency for all space operations from India, to establish and operate multiple Ground Stations. These stations include transportable, mobile platforms, that will support TTC, Payload data reception and ranging operations.
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Avantel is spearheading the GSaaS service in India, and will provide critical ground support for real-time satellite communication and control. Such services can potentially reduce financial barriers for startups and accelerate their research and development efforts, by providing additional bandwidth for payloads to communicate data back to the ground. Such initiatives drive innovation and excellence in space technologies, and contribute significantly to India’s self-reliance and global stature in the space industry. The partnership between Avantel and NSIL is aimed at positioning India as a global hub for GSaaS services, supporting megaconstellations of microsatellites, and promoting India as a leading destination for space technology.