India’s space plans just got a major speed boost. In response to rising geopolitical tensions, the government is fast-tracking its $3 billion satellite surveillance mission, SBS-3, aiming for a 2026 launch.
The deets: GOI has directed three private players (Ananth Technologies, Centum Electronics, and Alpha Design Technologies) to compress their satellite development timelines from four years to just 12–18 months.
One of the satellites, built by Ananth Technologies, is already in advanced stages and is expected to launch later this year via ISRO’s LVM3 or SpaceX, depending on mission slots.
The who’s who: these aren't newcomers. All three companies have been long-time partners of ISRO, having worked on missions like Chandrayaan-3, IRNSS, and more.
- Notably, Alpha Design Technologies, now owned by Adani Defence and Aerospace, played a key role in building NavIC, India’s homegrown GPS alternative.
The SBS-3 mission is India’s signal to the world that it’s no longer waiting for data from anyone, it’s building its own eyes in the sky.
