India’s new space policy attracts 35 space startups and industries
15 Mar 2021
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At least 35 space start-ups and industries are in consultation with Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) for development of satellites, launch vehicles, applications development and for providing space based services, union minister of state for development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, personnel, public grievances, pensions, atomic energy and space, Jitendra Singh said on Wednesday.
The government has set up the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) under the Department of Space to open up the space sector for private enterprises, as part of the reforms across various sectors.
IN-SPACe will promote, handhold, regulate and authorise space activity by private sector, which will result in enhanced private participation. This will also spur technological development and innovation within the country leading to self-reliance in the field of space technology, a step towards “Atmanirbhar Bharat,” the minister stated in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.
Jitendra Singh informed the house that four student satellites were made ready with the support of Isro. These satellites were successfully flown onboard PSLV-C51 on 28 February 2021. Also, he said, 35 space startups and industries are in consultation with Isro for support related to various domains of space activity such as development of satellites, launch vehicles, develop applications, provide space based services etc.
He said the budgetary allocation for space programme has also been hiked for meeting the future challenges and space preparedness.
Singh said that Budget Estimates for 2021-22 of Department of Space is Rs13,949 crore, as against the allocation of Rs9,500 crore in RE 2020-21, an increase of about Rs4,500 crore.
Also, Singh said, in order to meet the growing demands of the usage of space technologies and their applications for national development (societal, governmental, commercial and strategic) using communication, earth observation, navigational and space sciences, Isro has created an expert committees consisting of members from Isro, IMD, NCOAR, I &B, BSNL, DoT and user representatives to address and assess the demand for the satellites for the next generation. Based on the recommendations of the expert committee future satellite projects are conceived, he added.
