Why?
Space exploration, traditionally the realm of national agencies due to its high costs and risks, now sees increased involvement from the private sector. India initiated this shift in 2020 through state-led reforms.
Approach:
- Introduce your answer with the Indian Space Policy, 2023 and its pivotal shift towards involving non-governmental entities (NGEs) in India’s space pursuits.
- In the main body, discuss the objectives of the new space policy – augmenting space capabilities, encouraging commercialization, driving technology development, creating a space ecosystem, etc. Next address how integrating private sector dynamism will help by enabling NGEs, promoting innovation and entrepreneurship, facilitating industry growth through IN-SPACe, technology transfer from ISRO, etc.
- Conclude by writing significance of private sector collaboration and advancing India’s space ambitions for socio-economic growth.
Answer:
The Indian Space Policy, 2023 represents a monumental stride towards integrating non-government entities (NGEs) into the nation’s space endeavours. By delineating clear roles for stakeholders like IN-SPACe, ISRO, NSIL, and Department of Space, the policy sets the stage for enhanced private sector participation across the space economy’s entire value chain.
Objectives Of New Space Policy:
- Augmenting Space Capabilities: through advanced research and development, ensuring the nation remains at the forefront of space exploration and technology.
- Encouraging Commercial Presence in Space: by fostering a conducive environment for private sector participation. This involves encouraging activities such as communication, remote sensing, navigation, and more.
- Driving Technology Development: using space exploration to stimulate innovation and development in allied sectors, contributing to socio-economic growth.
- Pursuing International Relations: by actively engaging with other nations, India seeks to leverage collective expertise and resources for mutual benefit.
- Creating an Ecosystem for Effective Implementation: of space applications. This involves engaging stakeholders across academia, industry, and government.
Integration Of Private Sector Dynamism:
- Greater Participation in Space Activities: The policy enables NGEs to undertake end-to-end activities in the space sector, including the establishment and operation of space objects, ground-based assets, and related services.
- Promotion of Innovation and Entrepreneurship: NGEs are encouraged to innovate and commercialize space technologies and applications.
- This includes developing space transportation systems, satellite systems, remote sensing technologies, and more.
- Facilitation of Industry Growth: by facilitating industry clusters, collaborations, and technological advancements.
- IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion & Authorisation Centre) serves as the primary regulatory body, promoting ease of doing business and providing a level playing field for NGEs.
- Access to Resources and Technology Transfer: ISRO plays a crucial role in sharing technologies, products, and processes with NGEs.
- ISRO’s transfer of lithium-ion battery technology to private companies for satellite applications.
- Expansion of Space Applications: encourages similar initiatives, promoting responsible space exploration and management.
- Private companies like Astroscale and ClearSpace are pioneering efforts in space debris removal, addressing a growing concern for space sustainability.
India’s Space Policy 2023 represents a strategic paradigm shift towards embracing the private sector as a key partner in advancing the nation’s space agenda. India aims to leverage its space capabilities for socio-economic development while enhancing its standing as a space-faring nation on the global stage.
‘+1’ value addition:
- India currently holds approximately 2% share of the global space economy which currently stands at USD 360 billion.
- The number of space startups in India have gone up from just 1 in 2014 to 189 in 2023 as per DPIIT Startup India Portal.
- The investment in Indian space startups has increased to $124.7 Million, showcasing potential economic rise in future.
