ISRO arm NSIL signs $18-million deal with Australian government for commercial satellite launch
New Delhi: The Australian government has signed an $18-million memorandum of understanding (MoU) with NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Announced by Australian High Commissioner Philip Green, the partnership will see Australian firm Space Machines launch a satellite inspection and observation payload aboard ISRO's Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) in 2026. This payload will be the largest Australian satellite launched to date, according to Rajat Kulshrestha, co-founder of Space Machines.
Australian High Commissioner Philip Green emphasized that this partnership marks a significant step in Australia's space engagement with India. The collaboration will enable Australian satellites to be launched from Indian soil, elevating the bilateral space cooperation to new heights.
S. Somanath, Chairman of ISRO, outlined an ambitious vision for the future, aiming for 20-30 SSLV launches annually to meet the growing demand for small satellite launch services. He also highlighted the broader goal of increasing capacity and capability in India's space missions, including the ambition to land an Indian astronaut on the moon by 2040.
The partnership will involve several stakeholders in India's private space economy, including domestic space-engineering firm Ananth Technologies, which has previously supplied components and engineering services to ISRO. The privatisation of SSLV is ongoing, with six bidders identified, and the final decision pending.
This collaboration comes at a time when India's commercial space activities face a downturn due to a lack of internal demand. Despite this, India’s private space sector has attracted $370 million in investments to date, with Skyroot Aerospace leading with $95 million. The deal with Australia is one of India's first significant cross-border investments in the space sector since its privatisation in 2020.
ISRO and the Australian government announced plans for joint space conferences in November to further enhance collaboration between the two space economies.
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West Bengal exit polls: People’s Pulse projects TMC lead, others predict BJP surge
Kolkata: Exit polls for the West Bengal Assembly Election 2026 have shown different projections, with some surveys indicating a lead for the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC), while others suggest an advantage for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
According to People’s Pulse, the TMC+ alliance is projected to win between 177 and 187 seats in the 294-member Assembly.
The BJP is estimated to secure between 95 and 110 seats, while the Left Front+ is predicted to win up to one seat. The Congress (INC) is likely to get between one and three seats, and others are projected to win between one and two seats.
Matrize projections indicate a different trend, with the BJP projected to win between 146 and 161 seats, crossing the majority mark of 148, with a vote share of 42.5 per cent. The TMC is estimated to win between 125 and 140 seats with a vote share of 40.8 per cent.
P-MARQ has also projected a BJP lead, estimating the party to win between 150 and 175 seats, while the TMC+ alliance is expected to secure between 118 and 138 seats. The same survey projects Congress to win between 2 and 6 seats.
Poll Diary estimates suggest the BJP may win between 142 and 171 seats, while the TMC could secure between 99 and 127 seats. Other parties are projected to win between 5 and 9 seats.
Chanakya Strategies has projected the BJP to win between 150 and 160 seats, while the TMC is estimated to get between 130 and 140 seats. Others are expected to secure between 6 and 10 seats, while Congress and Left are projected at zero.
ABP projections estimate the BJP to win between 146 and 161 seats, while the TMC is expected to secure between 125 and 140 seats. Others are projected to win between 6 and 10 seats.
Polls in the state were held in two phases on April 23 and 29, and the counting of votes is scheduled to take place on May 4.
