Space Sector Developments
Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have completed a mission, highlighting the growing influence of the private sector, such as SpaceX and Boeing, in space exploration.
India's Space Aspirations
India is gearing up for significant advancements in its space sector:
- Plans for the ‘Bharatiya Antriksh Station’ by 2035 and an Indian lunar landing by 2040.
- India's crewed orbital spacecraft is scheduled for launch in 2026.
Space Sector Dynamics
The space industry is categorized into:
- Upstream Segment: Involves development, testing, and launching of space assets.
- Downstream Segment: Includes applications and services utilizing satellites.
India currently has around 250 startups involved in both segments.
Government Initiatives
Key policies to boost the Indian space sector include:
- New Space Policy 2023
- FDI Policy 2024
- Indian Telecommunication Act 2023
- Geospatial Data Policy
These aim to increase the space sector's worth from $9 billion to $44 billion.
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Policies
The government permits:
- 100% FDI in satellite components and systems.
- Up to 74% in satellite manufacturing and operations.
- 49% in launch vehicles and spaceports.
A ₹1,000-crore venture capital fund is available to encourage private sector participation.
Challenges and Opportunities
S Somanath stresses the need for demand creation to attract big investments. The downstream sector currently dominates the global space economy, contributing 80-90% of its $470 billion value. In India, downstream services also account for 80% of the $8.4 billion space economy.
Key Startups and Innovations
Prominent Indian startups include:
- Skyroot Aerospace: First Indian private company to launch a rocket.
- Agnikul Cosmos: Launched its Agnibaan rocket from a private launchpad.
- Others like Manastu Space, Digantara, OrbitAID, InspeCity, and Forge Innovation & Ventures are contributing to advancements in propulsion, space debris management, and autonomous operations.
Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) and Collaboration
Significant PPP initiatives include:
- NSIL's contract with HAL-L&T for PSLV-XL production.
- LVM3 PPP Model and IN-SPACe’s Build-Own-Operate model for Earth Observation Satellites.
These efforts aim to scale up commercial capabilities and foster international collaboration.
