India’s First Private Satellite Manufacturing Facility in Gujarat | 27 Jan 2026

Why in News? 

India has marked a historic milestone in space manufacturing with the foundation of the country’s first private satellite and electro-optical payload manufacturing plant at Sanand, Gujarat. 

Key Points 

• Facility Name: Palmnaro Electro-Optical Payload Facility, India’s first integrated private satellite and payload manufacturing plant by Azista Space Systems. 
  • Location: The manufacturing facility is located at Khoraj Industrial Estate, Sanand, Gujarat. 
• MoUs: The project involves MoUs worth over ₹500 crore with the Government of Gujarat, reflecting strong public-private partnership. 
• Strategic Sector Entry: Marks the private sector’s entry into advanced satellite manufacturing, a domain earlier led by ISRO and PSUs. 
• Global Competitiveness: The facility will enable India to compete in the global commercial satellite market, including Earth observation and defence applications. 
  • The facility will produce advanced payloads also useful for civil sectors (like agriculture, environment, disaster management).  
• Objective: The plant aims to indigenise electro-optical payloads, reduce import dependence, and strengthen domestic space supply chains. 
  • Boosts private sector participation in space manufacturing and supports Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.