CHENNAI, July 30: In order to enhance the diffusion of space technology and boost space economy within the country, the Department of Space (DOS) desires to encourage private participation in space activities free of cost or at reasonable cost after working out a suitable mechanism.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) would complement DOS in its objective of opening up the space sector to private industries.
”In order to encourage and promote NGPEs in space activities, the technology, expertise and facilities will be offered free of cost wherever feasible or at reasonable cost and a suitable mechanism will be worked out for promotion and hand-holding and sharing of technology and expertise”, ISRO said.
In order to enhance utilization and maximize benefits from the space assets, it was proposed to change the approach from “Supply Based Model” to “Demand Based Model” and the NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) will act as the aggregator of user requirements and obtain commitments.
In India, many Non-Government-Private-Entities (NGPEs) have started engaging in space activities for commercial gains. Many start-ups and industries have started making launch vehicles and satellites and were eager to provide space based services.
Participation of NGPEs including academic institutions, start-ups and industries in end-to-end space activities expand the space economy, according to ISRO.
The gamut of space activities to be taken up by NGPEs included production of components and subsystems of launch vehicle, launch vehicle integration and testing which waqs meant for space launch, production of components of a spacecraft, spacecraft Integration and testing, launch of spacecraft on board a launch vehicle and establishment/operation of launch infrastructure, offering space based services including operation, control and station keeping of spacecraft by establishing and operation of ground segment, stations, besides development of space based applications using satellite data and rolling out of commercial services.
A National level nodal agency was necessary to promote, handhold, permit, monitor and supervise space activities by NGPEs and accord necessary permissions as per the regulatory provisions, exemptions and statutory guidelines.
Towards this, an Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe) was being established as an independent nodal agency under the DOS for allowing space activities and usage of DOS-owned facilities by NGPEs as well as to prioritise the launch manifest.
(UNI)
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