Defence Ministry signs 350th contract under iDEX for miniaturized satellite

SUB: Science and tech

SEC: Defence

Context:

The 350th contract under the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) which is the flagship initiative of the Ministry of Defence was signed with Space Pixel Technologies Pvt Ltd for the design and development of a ‘miniaturized satellite capable of carrying electro-optical, infrared, synthetic aperture radar, and hyperspectral payloads up to 150 kgs’, is announced on Tuesday.

Key Highlights:

This 350th iDEX contract enables innovation in space electronics, wherein many payloads earlier deployed on dedicated large satellites are now being miniaturized.
The modular small satellite will integrate multiple miniaturized payloads as per requirement, providing advantages like faster and economical deployment, ease of manufacturing, scalability, adaptability, and less environmental impact.

About iDEX:

iDEX was established by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation(DIO) under the Department of Defence Production.
Recently it unveiled the Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX (ADITI) scheme to promote innovations in critical and strategic defense technologies.
It was launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister in April 2018.
It will be funded and managed by a Defence Innovation Organization (DIO).
It will function as the executive arm of DIO, carrying out all the required activities while DIO will provide high level policy guidance to iDEX.
It aims at creation of an ecosystem to foster innovation and technology development in Defence and Aerospace.
The iDEX was the recipient of the Prime Minister Award for Public Policy in Innovation Category in 2021 and is currently engaged with over 400 start-ups and MSMEs.

The objectives of iDEX are:

Facilitate rapid development of new, indigenized, and innovative technologies for the Indian defense and aerospace sector, to meet needs for these sectors in shorter timelines;
Create a culture of engagement with innovative startups, to encourage co-creation for defense and aerospace sectors; and
Empower a culture of technology co-creation and co-innovation within the defense and aerospace sectors.

Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO)

It is formed as a “not for profit‟ company as per Section 8 of the Companies Act 2013.
Its primary objective is to fund and manage the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX).
It will provide high level policy guidance to iDEX.
The CEO of iDEX will be selected and recruited by the DIO and will be a professional person of sound technical, scientific and engineering background.