IAF GNF Session: Expanding Access to the Indian Space Sector: International Outlook
Day: Thursday 8 May 2025
Time: 12:05 - 12:50 IST
Location: Grand Ballroom, India International Convention & Expo Centre (IICC) - Yashoboomi
Post space sector reforms, unleashed by the Government of India in June 2020, a new era of space exploration and space-inspired industries has begun to unfold. There are ample opportunities for everyone from India, to take part in the global space economy and vice versa. An independent nodal agency under Department of Space - the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) has been created in June 2020 “to promote, enable, authorise, and supervise Space Activities of Non-Governmental Entities (NGEs).” IN-SPACe is now enabling for the first time, national space infrastructure developed over the years, available for use by the private industry, creating a favourable regulatory environment for players within the Indian private sector, to allow them to become independent actors in the space sector instead of being solely vendors or suppliers to the government program. Led by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) India’s space program has impressively evolved for the past 50 years. In terms of technological capabilities India ranks among the top five space faring nations of the world. India is globally recognised for building low-cost satellites and launch vehicles. ISRO has developed three launch vehicles namely polar satellite launch vehicle (PSLV), geosynchronous satellite launch vehicle (GSLV) and GSLV MK-III. Even a small satellite launch vehicle (SSLV) has become operational. On satellite front, ISRO has developed communication, navigation, earth observations and scientific satellites.
A new Indian space policy in 2023 has been established to remove all the road blocks that existed in earlier policies. A lucrative Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy has been made functional and Space activities Bill are in the final phase. The liberalized FDI Policy brought out by Govt. of India for the space sector provides a clear and flexible investment framework and promote international investments, technology transfers, and collaborative research opportunities, making India an attractive destination for global investors. India’s moon mission. India's recent lunar soft landing on the South Pole, a historic first, showcases its advanced space engineering capabilities and cost-effective approach. This achievement highlights the immense potential of Indian non-governmental entities (NGEs) in the space sector. India has developed capabilities in remote sensing, communication and navigation as well. Indian Government has laid down its vision for the next 25 years. We believe in cooperation and power of technology for the benefit of mankind. India is a leading information technology (IT) nation and has ambition to go digital in the areas of citizen centric services viz. financial transactions, citizens database, resource mapping and planning etc. Space sector plays a vital role in all these services. Space sector has the potential to incubate a vibrant ecosystem of start-ups and private industries. By becoming a leading contributor to India’s economic growth story, the space sector is replicating the success seen in the IT sector today. This would also increase India’s share in the global space market significantly.
The growth of space sector in India will be aided by the vision and policies laid by the Government, to take space sector to next level. It shows aspiration of the country to grow. This can be achieved by developing space applications for the public needs. 80% of Indian population are rural inhabitants and there is a huge market in the services sector. Be it communication, remote sensing, navigation etc., the requirement is huge. This requires faster launch facilities and launches. Thus, requiring the need for robust supply chain management, strong global cooperation for space industry to grow. This provides new avenues for everyone to contribute and develop frugal technologies like India’s Mars mission.
Indian space is no longer controlled by Institutional frame work or by Government, its available to all. With new policies, India is open for discussions in all the areas of space.
