Brain Booster for UPSC & State PCS Examination (Topic: Role of Private Sector in Indian Space)

Purpose

Principal Scientific Adviser Ajay Kumar Sood stated that the government would soon come up with a new space policy that could initiate the rise of India’s own SpaceX-like ventures.
The move would increase private sector participation in the industry.
Consultations have already been held and the final version of the policy would soon be referred to the Empowered Technology Group for further examination.

Enhancing space technology would be beneficial to bolster connectivity and combat climate-related implications effectively.
Satellites provide more accurate information on weather forecasts and assess long-term trends in the climate and habitability of a region.
They can also serve as real-time monitoring and early-warning solutions against natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, wildfires, mining etc.
Real-time tracking can also serve multiple purposes in defence.
As for connectivity, satellite communication can reach more remote areas where conventional networks would require heavy complimentary infrastructure.
The World Economic Forum stated that satellite communication can help to connect 49% of the world’s unconnected population.
Other prominent categories include spacecraft and equipment manufacturing.

As per SpaceTech Analytics, India is the sixth-largest player internationally, having 3.6% of the world’s space-tech companies.
U.S. holds the leader’s spot housing 56.4% of all companies in the space-tech ecosystem.
Other major players include U.K. (6.5%), Canada (5.3%), China (4.7%) and Germany (4.1%).
The Indian Space Industry was valued at $7 billion in 2019 and aspires to grow to $50 billion by 2024.
The country’s standout feature is its cost-effectiveness.
India holds the distinction of being the first country to have reached the Mars’ orbit in its first attempt.
As space becomes more congested with satellites, the technology would thus help in managing space junk.
U.S. and Canada were the highest receivers of space-related investment in 2021.
India’s total budgetary allocation for FY 2022-23 towards the Department of Space was ₹13,700 Cr.

In June 2020, the Union government announced reforms in the space sector enabling more private players to provide end-toend services.
An announcement in June 2020 was made for the establishment of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe).
It was mandated with the task of promoting, authorising and licensing private players to carry out space activities.
As an oversight and regulatory body, it is responsible for devising mechanisms to offer sharing of technology, expertise, and facilities free of cost.
ISRO shares its expertise in matters pertaining to quality and reliability protocols, documentations and testing procedure through IN-SPACe’s interface mechanism.
Cconstituted in March 2019, New Space India Ltd (NSIL), is mandated to transfer the matured technologies developed by the ISRO to Indian industries.

The space sector reforms were made with the intention to provide a level playing field to private companies in satellites’ launches and space-based services.
The central idea was to bring forth a predictable policy and regulatory environment for them and additionally provide access to ISRO facilities and assets to improve their capacities.