L&T Aims to Join NASA's Successor to the International Space Station as India’s Space Ambitions Soar

Larsen and Toubro (L&T), India’s leading engineering giant, has set its sights on a new frontier: contributing to NASA's successor to the International Space Station (ISS). After decades of powering the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) space missions, the company is now looking to expand its role on the global stage, hoping to secure a spot in the supply chain for NASA’s next-generation space station. This marks a significant step for Indian companies in the growing space economy.

L&T has a long history of involvement in India’s major space initiatives. From supplying hardware for the Chandrayaan missions to contributing to Gaganyaan and the Mars Orbiter, the firm has been a key player in ISRO's success. L&T’s expertise in manufacturing components for satellite launch vehicles has also helped position it as a leader in space engineering. Now, it wants to take that expertise beyond India, eyeing opportunities in international markets.

Vikas Khita, Vice President of L&T Precision Engineering and Systems, recently revealed that the company was previously in talks with Blue Origin, Jeff Bezos’ space venture, to collaborate on orbital launch solutions and space habitats. Although these discussions faced challenges, they have laid the groundwork for current conversations with NASA about potential collaboration on the ISS successor.

Khita expressed optimism that L&T, along with other Indian firms, could play a role in the new space station’s development. “We are hopeful that when the US requires its next space station, Indian firms will have a role to play in the supply chain,” he said during a recent industry event. This interest comes at a time when India’s private space sector is gaining momentum, thanks in part to the government's decision in 2020 to open up the space industry to private players. L&T is positioning itself to capitalize on this opportunity by exploring ventures such as building space ports, space parks, and manufacturing clusters.

One of L&T’s most notable recent achievements is its involvement in producing Polar Satellite Launch Vehicles (PSLV) in collaboration with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). This is the first time the private sector has been directly involved in manufacturing rockets for ISRO. The company is also eyeing a role in the development of the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV), a new rocket designed by ISRO for smaller payloads. As ISRO transfers the SSLV technology to private firms, L&T is expected to be one of the frontrunners in its production.

India’s space economy is expected to grow substantially in the coming years. Currently valued at around USD 8.4 billion, it is projected to reach USD 44 billion by 2033, capturing nearly 8% of the global space market. The global space industry, in turn, is predicted to be worth around USD 1.8 trillion by 2035, presenting significant opportunities for companies like L&T. The firm is planning to expand its commercial space business fivefold by 2033, with a strong focus on both upstream and downstream sectors.

L&T’s vision for the future aligns with India’s broader goals in the space industry. With a combination of private sector innovation and government support, India is positioning itself as a key player in the international space race. And if L&T’s ambitions materialize, it could very well become a critical part of NASA’s efforts to build the next chapter of space exploration.

As the space sector continues to open up, and with the growing demand for space infrastructure, L&T’s involvement in NASA's ISS successor could be a major milestone for India’s engineering capabilities on a global scale.