NEW DELHI, May 1 -- Four years after a failed first trial attempt, the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) is gearing up for a big-bang year for its small rocket.

Isro expects to hold five commercial launch missions of the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) in FY27, almost a decade since it started developing the rocket and over two years since its last trial mission, according to the central space agency's latest annual report published on 29 April. Two private space startups are also expected to launch their first commercial small rocket missions this fiscal.

First demonstrated in August 2022, the SSLV - designed to place small satellites in low-earth orbit - is expected to be a key rocket for India's space ambitions. Data fr...