Gujarat Launches India's First Private Satellite Plant

The Leap of Gujarat into Space Tech.

India has made a tremendous leap into space technology! In Sanand Gujarat, we have laid the foundation for the first privately owned satellite manufacturing facility in India. The ‘Palmnaro' facility being built by Azista Space is expected to produce satellites, advanced payloads and create self-reliance within the aerospace sector. This means more jobs and innovation.

What's Happened?

Gujarat’s Science Minister, Arjun Modhwadia laid the groundwork on January 22nd 2026, for the Electro-Optical Payload Factory which will serve as India’s first integrated private satellite production facility that allows for end-to-end satellite production. No longer are we going to have to rely on the government facilities for the production of satellites. The private sector is now starting to enter this space and will be able to provide products and services that are competitive with government aerospace products.

Innovations That Standout

This milestone accomplishment is important for multiple reasons:

1. A fully integrated private facility: A design/build capability for satellites in the class of 50kg to 200kg and development of optical payloads within this facility.

2. Location: The facility is located in Sanand (near Ahmedabad) on the foundation of Vikram Sarabhai, which enables Gujarat to become the space technology hub.

3. Spatial Capability: The facility has approximately 30,000sq ft of clean room space and testing labs to produce and test satellites that are expected to produce over 50 satellites annually, with a potential increase to 250.

4. MoUs: Over ₹500 crore in MoUs have been executed with various industry partners to provide the needed momentum for growth and entry into a global supply chain.

5. Timeline: Foundations have been laid, and the full operational capacity of the facility will soon support the commercial and defense segments of the space market.

Why It's Important

There has been exponential growth in the private sector since the Government of India has opened the gates for the private sector in the space marketplace, and this facility will help continue to create many thousands of high-skilled jobs.