Inside ISRO's GSLV-F18: Ananth Technologies Supplied 55 Avionics and Spacecraft Systems

Hyderabad-headquartered Ananth Technologies (ATL) supplied critical avionics, electronics and spacecraft subsystems for the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) GSLV-F18 mission, which placed the navigation satellite NVS-03 in orbit, the company said.

The firm, which runs advanced facilities in Bengaluru for satellite assembly, integration and testing, and in Thiruvananthapuram for the fabrication, assembly and testing of launch vehicle subsystems, described itself as a long-standing partner in India's space programme.

For the GSLV-F18 launch vehicle, ATL said it supplied 46 packages covering key functions across the rocket. These included telemetry, data acquisition systems, navigation guidance and control systems, power management, relay units, structural monitoring systems, actuator control systems, a transponder and related avionics functions.

On the spacecraft side, the company contributed nine systems to NVS-03. According to the firm, these included critical power-management packages, different types of DC-DC converters, star sensors, and attitude and orbit control systems.

ATL Chairman Subba Rao Pavuluri said the successful launch of the NVS-03 navigation satellite aboard the GSLV-F18 vehicle was another significant milestone in India's space programme. He said it reinforced the country's commitment to developing and strengthening indigenous space capabilities. "We look forward to contributing to India's ambitious space journey in the years ahead," he said in a release.

The NVS series forms part of India's satellite navigation programme, NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation), which is designed to provide positioning and timing services over India and the surrounding region. The satellites are built to progressively replace and upgrade the first-generation Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System spacecraft.

The disclosure highlights the growing role of private industry in India's space sector. For decades, ISRO has relied on a network of Indian firms to manufacture components, build structures and supply electronics for its launch vehicles and satellites, while the space agency has retained overall design, integration and mission responsibility.

Since the space sector was opened to private participation through reforms announced in 2020, companies have sought larger roles, including the manufacture of complete satellites and launch vehicles. A national regulator and promotion body, IN-SPACe, was set up to oversee non-governmental space activities and to facilitate such partnerships.

Details of the individual contracts, their values and the timelines of the deliveries were not disclosed in the company's statement. ISRO has not independently commented on the specific contributions listed by ATL.

The GSLV-F18 mission is part of India's continuing effort to expand its navigation and communication satellite fleet. Such missions depend on a supply chain that spans public sector units, private firms, academic institutions and ISRO's own centres across the country.

Officials from the company said it would continue to work on upcoming missions. Further information on future contracts and the satellites being planned was not immediately available.