India has released the policy document for the new Indian Space Policy to the public on 20th April 2023, which establishes guidelines, visions and strategies to carry out end-to-end activities in the space domain. The policy aims to provide a level playing field to everyone, who wants to be a part of the Indian space domain.
The vision of the policy is to augment space capabilities; enable, encourage and develop a flourishing commercial presence in space. For India’s socio-economic development and security, protection of environment and lives, the policy outlines the usage of space as a driver of technology and derived benefits in allied areas.
The policy summarizes that to pursue peaceful exploration of outer space, stimulation of public awareness and scientific quest through pursuing international relations, and creating an ecosystem for effective implementation of space applications among all stakeholders.
The policy states that “IN-SPACe shall function as an autonomous Government organization, mandated to promote, hand-hold, guide and authorize space activities in the country. For this purpose, IN-SPACe shall periodically issue guidelines and procedures that would among other things promote ease of doing business.”
“Non-Governmental Entities (NGEs) shall be allowed to undertake end-to-end activities in space sector through establishment and operation of space objects, ground-based assets and related services, such as communication, remote sensing, navigation, etc. This would be subject to such guidelines/regulations as prescribed by IN-SPACe,” notifies the policy.
Promotes global collaboration
India has tremendous potential to leverage ISRO’s expertise and experience for its private ecosystem. With the space policy in place, more space companies are expected to be created that can compete globally.
In the years and decades to come, any country that sees itself as a serious contender to being an important and influential player in global geopolitics needs to have a strong presence in space as well. And that can only happen if the country and its national organizations like ISRO work hand in hand with the private industry to progress faster across all fronts. This policy sets up the foundation for that growth and opportunity.
“Startups have been continuing to work without a policy with one off approvals from IN-SPACe with the promise that a policy and then hopefully a space bill and act would follow,” said Awais Ahmed, CEO, Pixxel.
“With clarity around policy, more investors in India and abroad will likely invest more money into space technology startups. More companies will come up. And overall we’ll see more progress. But also progress that the country actually needs,” added Ahmed.
Draws clear line for Private Space players
The Policy very clearly defines the individual and symbiotic roles of Department of Space (DoS), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), and Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe).
“The clarity of various roles in the Indian Space Policy 2023 marks a yellow-brick road for Indian private companies who not only wish to commercialize their products and to develop new technologies, but to also understand the kind of support that will be provided to them,” said Kranthi Chand, Head – Strategy & Special Projects, Dhruva Space.
He further added that it is anticipated that promotion through IN-SPACe will be effective in taking startups and private enterprises to important international forums, and making them a part of vital international collaborations, trade bridges, and joint R&D programmes. We hope that IN-SPACe’s role of enabling, authorisszing, and promoting private Indian Space activities will also hasten bilateral collaborations, globally.
Additionally, the Policy is also very clear about what the private sector can do should international entities wish to come to India and collaborate with Indian private players, not just for commercialization but also for developing next-generation technologies.
Opportunities for capital inflow
Dr. Narayan Prasad, Chief Operations Officer, satsearch stated that through this step the Indian government signals that there is a larger industry ecosystem that they want to see beyond the existing ones. It also indicates that the government is interested to invest or create demand.
“From here on the government needs to open up demand for different users to the industry directly in one form or the other. Because at the end, if there is no real demand creation, the market is either for resellers who will represent foreign companies in India and sell that to Indian customers, or you have a capacity gap. When these two match together we will see a lot of capital flowing into the country,” added Dr. Prasad.
