Like Elon Musk, Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Jio is also now preparing to launch satellite in space. Sources with knowledge of the matter said that Reliance Jio is planning to build and launch a ‘Low Earth Orbit’ (LEO) constellation of 1,600-1,650 satellites at an altitude of about 650 kilometers in the next two to three years to provide broadband and direct-to-device services.
According to a report in *Economic Times*, the Mukesh Ambani-led company has submitted a proposal to the space regulator – the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACE) – and the configuration and technical architecture of the project is currently under review.
**Emphasis on self-reliance**
This is the first time an Indian company is trying to enter the lucrative LEO sector. This sector is currently dominated by Elon Musk’s Starlink, which has about 10,000 satellites in space. This step is also important because the country wants to reduce its dependence on foreign satellite companies amid increasing concerns related to national security.
An official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the government is considering helping Jio file with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to acquire orbital slots as an Indian company moves into this strategic sector. The official further said that the government will also support other Indian companies who want to enter this sector.
**Jio’s joint venture with Luxembourg company**
Right now, Jeff Bezos’ Amazon is in the process of deploying about 3,200 satellites into LEO, more than 300 of which have already been launched into orbit. At the same time, Eutelsat OneWeb – in which Sunil Mittal-led Bharti Group is the second largest shareholder after the French government – has about 654 satellites in space. Jio also has a joint venture with Luxembourg-based company SES, which has satellites in geostationary and medium Earth orbit, but not in LEO.
