Stories
IN-SPACe and SCL to Pitch Indigenous Chips to Private Space Firms
- •India's space regulator IN-SPACe and the Semiconductor Laboratory are reaching out to private space companies to promote indigenous chip components.
- •A key meeting is scheduled for October 13 to familiarize non-governmental entities with SCL's semiconductor products for space applications.
- •The initiative aims to connect SCL's design and fabrication capabilities with the needs of startups, MSMEs, and chip designers.
- •Locally developed chips are vital for satellite systems, payloads, launch vehicle avionics, and ground equipment to reduce foreign dependency.
- •The government is investing Rs 4,500 crore over three years to upgrade SCL's Mohali facility and significantly boost wafer production.
Key Questions Answered
The meeting is designed to familiarize non-governmental entities with the Semiconductor Laboratory's product portfolio, explore the adoption of indigenous chips for space applications, and outline potential procurement pathways.
SCL is based in Mohali, Punjab, and the government has committed Rs 4,500 crore over three years to upgrade its facility. The overhaul targets a 100-fold increase in wafer production, new equipment introduction, and advanced process technologies like Gallium Nitride on silicon.
Indigenous chips are vital for satellite systems, payloads, launch vehicle avionics, and ground equipment. Greater adoption helps private space companies access local alternatives for specialised applications while reducing their reliance on overseas suppliers.
