Brain Booster for UPSC & State PCS Examination (Topic: Indian Space Association)

Prime minister Narendra Modi on October 11 2021 launched Indian Space Association, the premier industrial association of space and satellite companies.

Why inception of ISpA important

Freedom of innovation to the private sector
Role of government as an enabler
Preparing youth for the future
To see the space sector as a resource for the progress of the common man

Aim of ISpA:

ISpA aims to contribute towards the accelerated development of India’s space industry and making the country a leading player in the segment.
It will also work towards building it will also work towards building global linkages for the Indian space industry to bring in critical technology and investment into the country to create more high skill jobs.

Building blocks of the organisation:

ISpA will have leading domestic and global corporations having advanced capabilities in satellite and space technologies. Its founding members include Bharti Airtel, Larson and Toubro, Nalco (Tata group), OneWeb, MapmyIndia, Godrej, Hughes India, BEL, Centum Electronics, Maxar India.
Space based communication network to provide high speed and affordable internet connectivity has taken off with the presence of SpaceX’sStarlink, Sunil Bharti Mittal’sOneWeb, Amazon’s Project Kuiper, US satellite maker Hughes Communication etc.

Some helping organisations:

NSIL:- The government announced about setting up of New Space India limited (NSIL) in the budget of 2019.

It would be a public sector company serving as a marketing arm of Indian space research organisation (ISRO) The NSIL would work in the field of marketing the technologies developed by ISRO. It will also bring clients for ISRO who would need space based services.

IN-Space:- Indian national space promotion and authorization centre (IN-Space) was approved in 2020. It will provide a level playing field for private companies to use Indian space infrastructure.

Importance of satellite based internet in India:

Internet in India is crucial for the governments Digital India Mission.
Although government has started Bharat net but internet connectivity in hilly areas and far-flung basis of North East India still challenge.
To overcome this satellite internet will be essential for or broadband inclusion in in sparsely populated and far flung locations.