Enhancing India’s prowess in the space sector

The Indian Space Policy 2023 marks a significant shift in India’s approach to space exploration and operations. The policy aims to increase India’s share in the global space economy from less than 2% to 10% by institutionalising private sector participation in the space sector while enabling the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to focus on research and development of advanced space technologies.

Private companies have been driving private sector investment in the space sector, and their reusable rockets have become a popular choice for space missions around the world. The inclusion of private companies in the space sector has proved to be a boon for many countries, including the United States. The Indian Space Policy 2023 seeks to replicate this success by allowing private companies to undertake end-to-end space activities in India, including building satellites, rockets and launch vehicles, data collection, and dissemination.

This policy spells out the framework for the private sector to use ISRO facilities for a small charge and encourages them to invest in creating new infrastructure for the sector. This move is expected to spur the growth of space-related industries in India, generating new jobs and opportunities for skilled professionals. By freeing up ISRO to focus majorly on R&D, the policy aims to enhance the country’s capabilities in the space sector.

The policy will be implemented by the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), which will serve as an interface between ISRO and private sector enterprises. The operational part of ISRO’s missions will be moved to the NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), a public sector undertaking under the Department of Space. This move is expected to create a demand-driven mode for space sector activities, with NSIL playing a strategic role in carrying out space-related activities.

While the Indian Space Policy 2023 is a significant step towards establishing the country as a major player in the global space economy, its success will depend on sustained efforts by the government, private sector enterprises, and research institutions. To realise the full potential of the Indian space sector, stakeholders will need to seize the opportunity and work together. The right policies, investments, and partnerships can ensure that the country becomes a major player in the global space economy and contributes to the advancement of human knowledge and exploration.

India has a long and proud history of achievements in the field of space exploration, including the successful Mars Orbiter Mission and Chandrayaan-2. The Indian Space Policy 2023 provides a roadmap for India to build on these successes and become a major player in the global space economy. With the right policies and investments, India has the potential to make significant contributions to human knowledge and exploration in the decades to come.

By Shubhendu Parth

shubhendup@cybermedia.co.in