The launch of the Indian Space Association (ISpA) was followed by thought-provoking and enlightening panel discussions. Chaired by Dr. AS Kiran Kumar, Former Chairman ISRO & Secretary, Department of Space and moderated by Vishal Malhotra; Technology, Media, Telecom Tax Leader, EY, the session on ‘Opportunities for the Indian Space Industry’ was one such.
Dr. Kumar stressed that the emphasis and drive have to come from the industry. “We see great disruption in the Space domain. It is timely that the government is looking at how India can be a big part of the global space economy.”
The panel deliberated on communication, applications, services, Launch Vehicles (LVs) & satellites, launch services, ground segment, etc. and unanimously cohered that:
there are tremendous opportunities as well as challenges for the India Space sector;
the government, academia, R&D centers, private industry should have a collaborative approach and open communication; and
the government should help the industry with the funding and exemptions (e.g., DSIR tax exemptions, PLI scheme).
Here are the highlights and comments from the panelists:
Chirag Doshi, MD & CEO, Walchandnagar Industries
The opportunities are enormous, and challenges are to be addressed. Capital is going to be one of the problem areas. There has to be some support from the government, maybe a PLI scheme for another manufacturing sector, which gives cheap capital and subsidies to our industry to invest for long-term. Skill development is going to be crucial. R&D with academia needs to be bolstered so that we have our Intellectual Property. And lastly, from a holistic ecosystem perspective, as we move deeper into privatization, it should not become a playground of just a few players. The privatization should be a canvas for many-many to be painted on.
Col H S Shankar (Retd), Chairman & MD, ADT
A clear vision to make India a major space player in the next five years is set. India is good at meeting its requirements, thanks to ISRO. However, the scenario is different when we talk about our contribution to the global Space economy. Overcoming a lack of industry support and government funding is the way forward.
Apparao V Mallavarapu, Chairman & Managing Director, Centum Electronics
Constellations are becoming competitive themselves. LEO constellations are making a huge impact. India has vast potential in this. Start-ups like Agnikul want to have their launch vehicle. The kind of innovation the start-ups bring to the table, often the big companies miss on that. You never know to what extent their innovation can help India grow in launch solutions.
Laxmesh Hasanabadi, Head – Missiles and Aerospace Business Head – Precision Manufacturing & Systems Complex at Larsen & Toubro Limited
Space R&D is quite expensive; it has a longer gestation period along with enormous uncertainties. I would suggest the government open up DSIR tax exemptions for dedicated aerospace R&D centers. Secondly, the DoS can also develop a technology development fund for the core technology development, which could fuel India’s growth as per the national strategy. The other important thing is a collaboration between ISRO, academia, and industry to co-develop new technologies.
PJ Nath, MD & CEO of Nelco Ltd
Today satellites can bridge the digital divide in India. LEO satellites can connect the unconnected in rural areas. Additional satellites will play a critical role in the proliferation of the IoT sector and help realize the full potential of interconnected devices.
Rohan Verma, CEO & ED MapmyIndia
The government has recognized at the right time that Space, which includes mapping, navigation, geospatial as a whole, is a crucial and strategic sector. Given the strategic location, India needs to have its world-class satellites for navigation and real-time imagery for defense and civilian purposes. On the commercial downstream side, there are countless geospatial applications.
Also Read: PM Modi launches Indian Space Association to boost private sector participation
Meanwhile, in another session titled “New Regulatory Landscape for Space Industry: Challenges & Opportunities”, detailed discussions were held on ways in which a progressive regulatory framework can take the Indian Space sector to new heights. “A month ago when I walked into the Space sector, I didn’t know that I was walking into such an exciting sector,” said the newly appointed IN-SPACe Chairman Pawan Kumar Goenka. He added that the Indian Space capabilities that have been built over the last six decades are mindboggling, and that both ISRO and the private industry will have to work together in making the full use of those capabilities. “There are also going to be challenges. Other countries are not going to wait for India to come forward and there will be tough competition,” Goenka cautioned.
Highlighting the ways in which NSIL will support the private industry, Radhakrishnan Durairaj, Chairman and Managing Director, NSIL, said, “We are exploring the option to build PSLV launch vehicles through our industry partners in the future. We want the industry to transform from a vendor to a full system integrator, and eventually to a production authority.”
Rahul Vatts, Bharti Airtel’s Chief Regulatory Officer who was appointed as the Vice Chairman of the Indian Space Association, said the global Space industry is pegged to be worth $360 billion, and so there is a lot of scope and opportunities for this sector in India.
“Like it did for the telecom sector, the government will have to create an environment for investment, provide a policy regime to manage cost, and build a regime of predictability for the Space industry.” He emphasized controlling regulatory cost and having a single-window clearance system.
