Desi companies like L&T, Godrej & Boyce, Walchand Nagar helped in Mangalyaan trip

MUMBAI: The 'made in India' flag is flying high. Homegrown companies like Larsen & Toubro, Godrej & Boyce, Walchand Nagar Industries and Hindustan Aeronautics have contributed most of the parts for the Rs 450-crore Mangalyaan mission with the first two alone accounting for almost two-thirds of the craft's parts.

"With the achievement of Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan, ISRO has proved its capability and consistency, which is reflecting the reliability of our systems. This should increase our participation in launch of satellites for developed and developing countries," said S M Vaidya, executive VP & business head, Godrej Aerospace.

He sees in the opening up of the space business an opportunity worth Rs 5,000 crore annually. Engineering behemoth Larsen & Toubro, which has been a supplier to ISRO for last four decades, shares a similar view.

Godrej's Vaidya said, "The success of Mangalyaan has boosted the confidence of the space community and, on its successful accomplishment over the next few months, we expect the government to permit many such expeditions by Isro."