Catalysing India’s Space Ecosystem - (E)
India is already a well-recognised space power with end to end capabilities in making rockets, satellite. In the application of space technology for the use of the common person, India is unique. Now, the Government of India has decided to `unlock’ the space sector since till now all the high end technologies were essentially developed and housed only in the Department of Space & the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Prime Minister Narendra Modi has unleashed a set of massive reforms in the space sector which will give Indian private industry a level playing field. An all-together new organisation called the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (INSPACe) has been created which will not only regulate all space activities for the private sector but also act as the single window clearance facility for Indian industry to take on designing, making and launching its own satellites and rockets from India. India with its massive talent pool can be home to many-many start up’s in the space technology sector and the government hopes by opening the doors of the high-tech facilities created at ISRO, many private sector companies could benefit in a big way. India wants to garner its rightful share of the commercial space technology market. A new omni-bus space policy and new space law are all being drafted and a new liability regime will be put in place. India’s vibrant space industry which till now effectively played the role of suppliers and vendors of components to ISRO can now start taking on ownership of full satellites and rockets. A supply driven approach is being transformed into a demand driven approach. Amidst all this reform the role of ISRO will remain steady as it will continue to handhold the Indian industry to make a vibrant space ecosystem. Reaching for the skies is just beginning.
