As we come to the year’s end, there’s some very exciting news for Indian space buffs. The opening up of space to entrepreneurs, which started in 2021, has picked up a significant pace. IN-SPACe, the arm of DoS ( Department of Space) which was set up to enable the access of ISRO facilities to private players and whose headquarters was inaugurated this year, has already got down to work. The results are beginning to show.
The launch of Vikram-S by Skyroot from the SDSC sounding rocket range, and the launch of ANAND from Pixxel and Thybolt 1 and 2 from Dhruva Space on PSLV C54, marks the success of the government‘s efforts to broad base space activities through the entry of private companies.
The public sector arm of DOS, NSIL ( New Space India Limited) too has farmed out the production of five PSLVs to a consortium. Its recent success in launching 36 OneWeb satellites on GSLV MkIII is notable.
A greater interest in the use of geospatial by government and business is also gaining ground. The setting up of the CORS network by Survey of India is a major step in this direction. The use of geospatial technologies by sectors such as banks and other financial institutions to assist in decision-making is a new opportunity area.
Traditional areas continue to flourish as well. However, certain decisions like the deforestation of Great Nicobar and ‘compensatory’ afforestation in Madhya Pradesh could use EO to establish its viability, if not validity.
In order to keep up the momentum, the government needs to pass the Space Policy and the corresponding Act which will give IN-SPACe the necessary powers to manage this burgeoning sector. Many other proactive decisions are needed on funding – both foreign and Indian.
The government needs to rethink its role and set up suitable mechanisms to move funding to the levels needed to boost the Indian space economy – from the current two per cent to ten per cent of the global space economy by 2025, as envisaged by the Chairman ISRO.
Not to be forgotten are the National Geospatial Data Policy, which is a natural follow-up to the Geospatial Data guidelines announced in February 2021. An Act should follow the policy as well.
Disclaimer: Views Expressed are Author's Own. Geospatial World May or May Not Endorse it
