Startups cheer HAL’s takeover of SSLV rocket; hope it boosts market for small satellites

With the defense PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) becoming the first Indian firm to own, build, and commercialise the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) SSLV rocket, sections of Indian startups are hopeful the deal will help them rely less on launch service providers overseas, get better schedule visibility, and save on costs.

So far, most Indian startups, such as Pixxel, Digantara, and GalaxEye’s upcoming mission Drishti, have used SpaceX for their launches. Some startups have also conducted payload testing on ISRO’s shared…