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Space Sector
9.49 Since its inception in the 1960s, the Indian space program has grown drastically.
Administered by the Department of Space (DOS) and primarily executed by its R&D arm,
the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), capabilities have been developed in the
space sector across all domains. This includes indigenous space transportation systems; space
assets comprising of fleet of satellites catering to the needs of earth observation, satellite
communication, meteorology, space science & navigation; ground infrastructure and a host of
operational programs related to the applications of space technology to the common uses of the
society.
9.50 Across the globe, the trend of space activities is in a state of transition. From being
primarily a government driven activity, the sector has been witnessing increasing participation
of private sector – not only in the traditional vendor role but also in taking up end-to-end space
activities. With this in mind, Government undertook reforms in space sector in 2020, which
envisage the private sector to act as a co-traveler in the exploration of outer space and also in
providing space-based services.
9.51 As a part of these reforms, the first step taken was empowering New Space India Limited
(NSIL)-the Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) in this sector –to “own” the operational launch
vehicles and space assets of ISRO. Further, the present supply-based model was changed to
demand-driven model, wherein NSIL shall act as aggregator of user requirements and obtain
commitments. The first outcome in this regard came recently to the fore with Tata Sky signing
an MoU with NSIL for utilizing the capacity on board the upcoming communication satellite
GSAT-24, to be built by ISRO and launched by Arianespace.
9.52 The second important step was the creation of an independent nodal agency under the
Department of Space, Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe),
which shall act as the promotor and regulator of space activities in India by NGPEs (Non-
government/private entities). This body has been tasked with prioritising the launch manifest
as per the requirements of NSIL, ISRO and NGPEs. It shall also allow utilization of capital
intensive DOS-owned facilities at reasonable cost by the private sector. In a little over a year
since the agency was announced, the interim IN-SPACe board has received close to 40 proposals
from large industries, MSMEs, start-ups and academia covering broad range of activities in
space domain – cutting across both upstream (launch vehicle/satellite manufacturing) as well as
downstream (Earth Observation applications, communications, etc.)
9.53 The third vital step has been in providing a predictable, forward-looking, well defined and
enabling regulatory regime for space activities in the country. The first to be updated were the
SpaceCom and SpaceRS policies, further liberalizing the traditional Satellite Communication
and Remote Sensing sectors, respectively, thus enabling entrepreneurs/industries to take up end-
to-end activities in these domains.
9.54 These initiatives have been received with much zeal and vigor by the entrepreneurs. Five
private satellites have been tested at ISRO facilities, four student satellites were launched aboard
the PSLV C-51. The national registration mechanism for space objects has been implemented,
with five satellites registered. A total of six MoUs have been signed with private/academic
entities for sharing technical expertise and facilities.