EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW | Dr SUBBA RAO PAVULURI, CMD, ANANTH TECHNOLOGIES PVT LTD
Hyderabad-based Ananth Technologies Pvt Limited (ATL) has become the first private company selected to build, launch and operate a geostationary communications satellite in the country.
India’s space regulator, the Indian Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) made the announcement on 2 December 2024, granting ATL access to the country’s orbital resources, marking a significant milestone in advancing private sector participation in the space sector.


All Images Courtesy: Ananth Technologies
ATL will undertake end-to-end management of the project, which includes the development, launch, and operation of a multi-beam high-throughput Ka-band communication satellite, the IN-SPACe stated.
ATL’s responsibilities also include frequency coordination with satellite operators, managing filings with ITU, and ensuring compliance with due diligence and notification processes.
With over 2000 employees across Hyderabad, Bangalore and Thiruvananthapuram, ATL is a leading Aerospace and Defence manufacturer in India. Since its inception, the company has strived to indigenise cutting edge aerospace technologies to support India’s development and security. From mission computers to control systems, sensors to communication systems, Ananth Technologies Limited is the largest contributor of subsystems to the Indian space programme. ATL is performing the entire harnessing of ISRO’s PSLV launch vehicles.
Incorporated in 1992 to support the growth of the Indian economy through leveraging aerospace technologies, ATL’s twin offerings include the manufacture of critical aerospace systems and high-value geospatial services.
Core areas of expertise include systems design and development including Avionics, RF and Microwave communication systems, Telemetry systems, power modules, DC-DC converters, PCM encoders, and more. It supports clients from a wide range of domains including Utilities, Telecom, Government and Aid Agencies, Energy and Logistics.


Ananth has expertise in GIS, photogrammetry, remote sensing, environmental studies, natural resources management, infrastructure development, topographical surveys, 3D modelling, LIDAR processing and software development.
In an exclusive interview to Science India, Dr Subba Rao Pavuluri, the chairman and managing director of Ananth Technologies Ltd, and President, SatCom Industry Association, discussed at length about his company, private industry participation in Indian space sector, startups, space economy and about Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
Excerpts:
Q. Congratulations, Dr Pavuluri! Your company Ananth Technologies Pvt Ltd is all over the news for being the first private company selected to build, launch and operate a geostationary communications satellite in the country. Could you elaborate on this?
All communication satellites earlier were built and launched by ISRO. After reforms in the space sector, the Government of India has opened opportuni ties for private investments in the space sector (as in other sectors). India needs many more transponders (through satellites in space) for communications, particularly for last mile connectivity.
IN-SPACe, the regulator for space, has given us the opportunity to be a satellite operator. We are the first ones to be given such an opportunity. The communication satellite will be built in India, launched from India and will be used for India — an initiative by private company ‘Ananth’ in post-space reforms. Such initiatives will continue by ATL.


Q. You have raised perhaps India’s first horizontally integrated and exclusive space-defence company. How has your journey been from 1991? How has the Indian manufacturing landscape changed over these years?
I strongly believe that the space and defence sectors will drive technology for the national good. Initiatives such as Make in India / Atmanirbhar Bharat induced confidence and opened up opportunities for Indian industry, both in innovation and manufacturing. Hence, we witnessed a complete transformation of the Indian industry landscape, raising immense opportunities in the space and defence sectors.
Q. This latest development, according to Ananth Technologies, will help build digital highways for providing last mile connectivity. Could you please elaborate on what this ‘last mile connectivity’ means, especially in the light of internet usage patterns in India — more than 50% internet users in India are from rural areas. How will this ‘last mile connectivity’ help an individual from rural India in improving his life, beyond providing digital services such as entertainment, online shopping and transferring funds?
India is a vast country with geography including mountains, valleys and forests. Many remote areas do not have digital connectivity. Last mile connectivity is for the last man standing, or Antyodaya (which refers to the welfare of the people at the bottom of the pyramid). There is a wide ‘digital gulf’ between urban and rural areas. This can be bridged with digital communications satellites, the best answer to bring in tele-education and telemedicine, which will transform remote rural areas.


Q. As private participation in the country’s space sector is an evolving field, do you think there needs to be some kind of a regulatory code for private players, considering that they are entering a highly sensitive area in terms of national security? What are the possible challenges inherent in this evolving scenario?
Like any other sector, the space sector also needs a regulator. The Government of India has created such a regulator that is called IN-SPACe, which acts both as a promoter and a regulator. This is a nodal agency that promotes the participation of the private sector in space activities in India.
Q. Space is a challenging sector. Not many commercial entities in India have the appetite to deliver successfully. Meanwhile, Ananth Technologies has successfully contributed to the space sector, be it remote sensing, communication satellites, or even missions like Aditya, Chandrayaan, and now Gaganyaan. What would you suggest new-age entrepreneurs do that you don’t see them doing?
Ananth Technologies has been working for the last 30 years in all segments of space programme, viz., launch vehicle, satellite and satellite applications for national development, among others. So far, it has contributed to about 80 launch vehicles, about 100 satellites and satellite applications all over the country related to land, water, environment, infrastructure, etc. New age entrepreneurs, together with established players, need to work more on innovation and ideas in all segments, and plan and execute space activities to make India a ‘Vishwa Guru’.


Q. What is the ‘real’ state of India’s space economy? Do you believe in the 2% often quoted by Western consulting firms (2% being India’s share of the global space economy)? If the numbers are not reliable, where do we exactly start to measure the volume of our space economy?
The Indian space programme has been working for the development in many ways. I do not believe that only 2% is India’s share of the world space economy. Perhaps, they must have used only products like satellites and launch vehicle cost but must not have considered satellite applications, which have both tangible and intangible benefits. By creating a National Natural Resources System (NNRMS), ISRO has done a wonderful job for development in all areas, such as disaster management, forest management, drought proofing, sustainable development, ground water exploration, tele-education, telemedicine, agricultural output estimation, and many more at the national and regional levels. Perhaps, such a wonderful contribution was not taken into account. In fact, many of these are first of its kind in the world.
Q. You have been the progenitor of the Satcom Industry Association, you are a strong voice at the World Hindu Economic Forum, and a staunchly Swadeshi space entrepreneur. What do you think of the current financial status of Indian startups? In your opinion, is it safe for them to overly rely on foreign finance and export markets before both are cultivated here in India?
I strongly believe in ‘Bharatiyata’ (Indianness) in every aspect, that Bharat was Vishwa Guru and once again Bharat will be a Vishwa Guru. When we look from this point of view, our entrepreneurs have great ideas. But to transform these ideas into commercial output, they rely heavily on foreign funding agencies since we lack funding systems of our own. If such a situation continues, unfortunately, such startups in the long run will be owned by foreign funding companies. Realising this, the Government of India announced in the recent budget an allocation of Rs 1000 crores to support startups. I am sure this funding will go up as success stories are established. Bhartiya companies also can export both goods and services. India shall become a manufacturing hub for the world and can provide world class services.


Q. Will the expansion of private participation in the Indian space industry prove to be a game changer in the job scene of the country, like software engineering did a few decades ago? What are the challenges in this scenario?
The expansion of private participation in the Indian space industry will create innumerable goods and services. India is a very vast country. Bharat itself needs many satellites, both for communication and for geo-spatial services. Therefore, requirements for employment would be not only in making satellites and launch vehicles but also in geospatial services. In these areas, we need engineers with various backgrounds such as electronics, electrical, mechanical, chemical, software and scientists with other faculties such as physics, chemistry, geology, geomorphology, land use, urban studies, soil science, forestry, civil engineering, sociology, statistics and mathematics, AI, ML, etc. Thus, there will be job opportunities, both for basic engineering and sciences.
Q. How do you see ISRO evolving during Amrit Kaal? Is it going to pick up a new role?
ISRO will bring laurels to Bharat during Amrit Kaal. Please recall ISRO landing on Moon (Chandrayaan-3 programme), which caught the attention and appreciation of all Indians, instilling faith in every Indian that India also can do. In the same way, ISRO will continue its planetary missions, astronauts landing on the moon, building Bhartiya Anthariksha Kendra, etc. Thus, ISRO will bring laurels to the country and immense confidence towards Bhartiya science and technology, taking Bharat towards becoming the Vishwa Guru again.


Q. What is your vision for Ananth Technologies Pvt Limited and the Indian space ecosystem?
Ananth Technologies is committed to support the ever growing, changing and maturing Indian aerospace market with technological solutions. Ananth have supported both the Indian governmental agencies (Department of Space) and private enterprises with indigenously designed and developed products. It will continue to focus on design and development of launch vehicles, satellites and building constellation of satellites for spatial solutions for Bharat’s use, and for global use, and will build satellites for communications for last mile connectivity. It will continue to focus on creating a manufacturing hub in India for aerospace systems and platforms.
*Chaitanya Giri is a Space and Emerging Technology Fellow at Centre for Security, Strategy and Technology, Observer Research Foundation, Mumbai and Debobrat Ghose is Editor, Science India, New Delhi.