New Delhi: Giving a big boost to private players, the Central Government on Thursday approved the Indian Space Policy 2023. The policy seeks to institutionalize private sector participation in the space sector. The entry of the private sector into the space industry will allow the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) to focus on research and development of advanced space technologies.
The Indian Space Policy-2023 was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The policy also outlines the roles and responsibilities of ISRO, space sector PSU NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) and the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACE).
“The policy will allow the private sector to take up space activities”
Speaking to reporters, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said, “In short, the Indian space policy (in the recent past) will provide clarity on the role of established components.” Singh said the policy would allow the private sector to participate in end-to-end space activities which include making satellites, rockets and launch vehicles, data collection and dissemination.
He said strategic activities related to the space sector will be carried out by NSIL, a public sector undertaking under the Department of Space, which will work in a demand-driven mode.
is isro President S Somanath said:
ISRO President S Somnath told PTI that the focus of the space policy would be to increase the participation of private companies in the space sector. “The recently created INSPACe will be the interface between the Indian Space Research Organization and non-governmental organizations,” Somnath said.
He said the policy also outlines the framework for the private sector to use ISRO facilities for a small fee and encourages them to invest in building new infrastructure for the sector.
Somnath said ISRO would not undertake any operational and production work for the space sector and would focus its energies on the development of new technologies, new systems and research and development.
ISRO to transfer operational activities to NSIL
The operational portion of ISRO’s missions will be transferred to NewSpace India Limited, a public sector undertaking under the Department of Space.
Somnath said India’s share in the global space economy is currently less than two per cent and the space policy will help increase it to 10 per cent in the future.
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“…a historic moment…”
Indian Space Association Director General Lt Gen AK Bhatt (Retd) said, “It is a historic moment as the Cabinet has approved the Indian Space Policy 2023. It will move forward with the clarity needed for space reforms and boosting private industry. Will pave the way for partnership to drive space economy opportunities for the country.”
Bhatt said that the private sector was waiting for this policy for a long time and its announcement on Thursday came as a pleasant surprise.
“We eagerly await the details of the policy. We would like to thank the Prime Minister for his visionary leadership, with a special focus on long-awaited reforms in the Indian space sector,” Bhatt said.
(With PTI inputs)