J&K to Kerala, 233 firms have 407 Isro techs; 98 new ones identified now

By :,   TOI India                                                                       Time; 11: 30

From Jammu and Kashmir to Kerala, 233 industries spread across 17 states are producing various products based on more than 400 technologies transferred by Isro so far, and the space agency has now identified nearly 100 more technologies to be transferred through the newly-formed New Space India Limited (NSIL), which will take the total number of such technologies past 500 soon.

From just 56 agreements enabling 

transfer

 of 39 technologies to 20 companies in 1980, as of September 2020, Isro has 520 agreements with 233 industries for 407 technologies, data accessed by 

TOI shows

 (see graphic). Overall, Isro works with more than 500 firms, including those supplying spares and sub-systems. According to Isro chairman K Sivan, Satish Dhawan opened up avenues for technology transfer as early as 1975

“This hasn’t been an overnight affair. While the 400+ technologies are already with various industries, and will be made available to any new industry that is interested, we’ve identified 98 other relatively new technologies for TOT (transfer of technology). The process has started and some of these are in advanced stages of transfer,” PV Venkitakrishnan, director, Isro Capacity Building Programme Office (CBPO), told TOI.

𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀 |(𝐓)

Of the 98 relatively new technologies identified, 27 are relating to chemicals and special materials used in space systems, 28 in electronics and 10 in communication and navigation fields.

Screenshot_20201108-195502

From personnel tracker that will aid beyond enemy line ops of armed forces (reported by TOI in Feb) to vessel tracking technology and from supercapacitors to thermal sensors, a host of technologies are now with NSIL for TOT.

“The transfer will happen based on industry demand. 

The Li-ion tech

, for example, saw a lot of demand,” Venkitakrishnan said. The CBPO is responsible for identifying various technologies internally and making it available for NSIL, which is mandated for commercialising technologies.

Of the 407 technologies already with industries, 44% are in the field of electronics & computer-based technology, and telecom broadcasting together. Technologies relating to chemicals and special materials form the single-largest cluster, accounting for 30% of all TOT so far (see graphic).

𝗥𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘄𝗲𝗱 𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 | 𝐑𝐄

“Now, there is a renewed push and we’ve formed dedicated teams in each Isro centre which will identify technologies fit for TOT, especially those with societal benefits. You will soon see the numbers jump,” Venkitakrishnan said

Isro and NSIL will only charge a nominal fee for TOT — based on only manpower and material costs — to ensure that the technologies are affordable. “The charge for commercial technologies could be slightly more than those with societal benefits,” Venkitakrishnan added.

The technologies will be of three kinds. First, TOT with buy-back intent: Includes products that find application in Isro programmes. Technology is transferred to develop a strong vendor base. Second, TOT with intent of development of space systems utilisation and space applications: Includes products finding end-use serving organisations utilising space applications such as Department of Telecom, IMD, strategic sectors, et al. Third, TOT of Spin-offs that have industrial applications and societal benefits.

𝗜𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗔𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮 |𝐈𝐀𝐈

Among the states the 233 industries are located in, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana together have 46. Maharashtra (37), 

Karnataka

 (29) and Kerala (28) together have 94, while Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir together have 39 industries. On the east coast, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, 

West Bengal

 together have 34 industries, while Uttar Pradesh, Delhi-NCR and Himachal Pradesh have the remaining industries.