Indian Space Policy 2023
Why in News?
Recently, the government approved the Indian Space Policy – 2023. The policy states that the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), as the national space agency, will focus primarily on the research and development of new space technologies and applications and on expanding the human understanding of outer space.
Until the early 1990s, India’s space industry and space economy were defined by ISRO. Private sector involvement was limited to building to ISRO designs and specifications. The Indian Space Policy 2023 unveils the government’s plan to let private enterprises carry out end-to-end activities – from launching satellites and rockets into space to operating Earth stations.
Policy Vision
- To augment space capabilities;
- Enable, encourage and develop a flourishing commercial presence in space;
- Use space as a driver of technology development and derived benefits in allied areas;
- Pursue international relations, and create an ecosystem for effective implementation of space applications among all stakeholders;
The purpose of the policy is to achieve the nation’s socio-economic development and security, protection of environment and lives, pursue the peaceful exploration of outer space, and stimulation of public awareness and scientific quest.
Key Highlights
- The policy creates four distinct, but related entities, that will facilitate greater private sector participation in activities that have usually been the traditional domain of the ISRO.
- InSPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre): It will be a single window clearance and authorisation agency for:
- Space launches,
- Establishing launch pads,
- Buying and selling satellites, and
- Disseminating high-resolution data among other things.
- It will also share technologies, products, processes and best practices with NGEs (non- government entities including private companies) and government companies.
- IN-SPACe will create a “stable and predictable regulatory framework” that will ensure a level playing field for the NGEs.
- It will act as a promoter by setting up industry clusters and as the regulator, issue guidelines on liability issues.
- New Space India Limited (NSIL): It will be responsible for commercialising space technologies and platforms created through public expenditure, as well as, manufacturing, leasing, or procuring space components, technologies, platforms and other assets from the private or public sector.
- Department of Space: It will provide overall policy guidelines and be the nodal department for implementing space technologies and, co-ordinate international cooperation and coordination in the area of global space governance and programmes in consultation with the Ministry of External Affairs.
- It will also create an appropriate mechanism to resolve disputes arising out of space activity.
- Rationalising the role of ISRO: It states that ISRO will “transition out of the existing practice of being present in the manufacturing of operational space systems.
- Hereafter, mature systems shall be transferred to industries for commercial usage.
- ISRO shall focus on R&D in advanced technology, proving newer systems and realisation of space objects for meeting national prerogatives”.
- ISRO will share technologies, products, processes and best practices with other government and non-government companies.
- This will make ISRO use its all its strength on cutting-edge research and development and long-term projects such as Chandrayaan and Gaganyaan.
Private Sector’s Role
- The NGEs (non-government entities including private companies) are “allowed to undertake end- to-end activities in the space sector through establishment and operation of space objects, ground- based assets and related services, such as communication, remote sensing, navigation, etc.”.
- Satellites could be self-owned, procured or leased; communication services could be over India or outside; and remote sensing data could be disseminated in India or abroad.
- NGEs can design and operate launch vehicles for space transportation and establish their own infrastructure.
- NGEs can now make filings with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and engage in commercial recovery of asteroid resources.
- In short, the entire gamut of space activities is now open to the private sector. Security agencies can task NGEs for procuring tailor-made solutions to address specific requirements.
Importance of Private Sector Participation
- To Increase Global Space Economy: India’s share in the global space economy is less than 2% at present and the space policy will help it increase substantially to 10% in the future.
- Space Exploration: Allowing private companies to perform space missions has benefited nations such as the United States by promoting private-sector investment.
For example, SpaceX’s reusable Falcon 9 rockets has become a popular choice for space missions around the world.
- International Competitiveness: With the increasing global interest in space exploration, private companies can help countries remain competitive in the industry.
- Flexibility: Private companies are often more agile and adaptable than government agencies, allowing them to respond more quickly to changing market demands and technological advancements.
Gaps in the Policy
- The policy sets out an ambitious role for IN-SPACe but provides no time frame for the necessary steps ahead.
- Neither is there an indicative timeline for ISRO’s transitioning out of its current practices nor is there a schedule for IN-SPACe to create the regulatory framework.
- The policy framework envisaged will need clear rules and regulations pertaining to FDI and licensing, government procurement to sustain the new space start-ups, liability in case of violations and an appellate framework for dispute settlement.
What Should Be Done to Fill These Gaps?
- The Space Policy 2023 is a forward-looking document reflecting good intentions and a vision. But it is not enough. What is urgently needed is a time frame to provide the necessary legal framework to translate this vision into reality, to successfully launch India into the Second Space Age.
- The government should bring a bill that grants statutory status to IN SPACe and also sets out time limits for both ISRO and IN SPACe. The bill should also address the ambiguity related to Foreign Investment, and government support for new space start-ups.
Government Step for Inclusion of Private Players in the Space Industry
Several steps have been initiated towards opening the space sector for private entities in a phased manner.
- In the 2019 budget, the government announced the setting up of New Space India Limited (NSIL) with a mandate to mass-produce and manufacture small satellite launch vehicles (SSLVs) and polar satellite launch vehicles (PSLVs) in partnership with the private sector through technology transfer.
- The Draft National Space Policy 2020 was thus unveiled with the aim to increase public-private partnerships in space research and exploration activities. Instead of only partnering on the manufacturing and logistical side of operations earlier, private players were now given access to ISRO’s infrastructure, technical resources and data to grow.
- In addition, the Union Cabinet in 2020 approved the creation of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) to act as a single-window, independent nodal agency between ISRO and private entities to utilise India’s space resources efficiently.
- Recently, India’s space agency unveiled a draft “Humans In Space Policy 2021” that would look at facilitating the participation of non-traditional players in undertaking space activities.
ISRO: History
- ISRO was established on 15 August 1969.
- Its aim was to “harness space technology for national development while pursuing space science research and planetary exploration.”
- The chief executive of ISRO is also a chairman of the Indian government’s space commission and the Secretary of the Department of Space.
- India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, established the Indian National Committee for Space Research, also known as INCOSPAR, in 1962.
- The INCOSPAR works for space research in India. Vikram Sarabhai led it. He was the founding father of the Indian space program.
- ISRO then replaced INCOSPAR in 1969.
EXCERPTS FROM PM’s SPEECH
“Government’s approach to space reforms is based on 4 pillars”
“The space sector is a major medium for the progress of 130 crore countrymen. For India, the space sector means better mapping, imaging and connectivity facilities for the common people”
“Aatmnirbhar Bharat campaign is not just a vision but also a well-thought, well-planned, integrated economic strategy”
“The government is moving ahead with a clear policy regarding public sector enterprises and is opening most of these sectors to private enterprises where the government is not required. The decision regarding Air India shows our commitment and seriousness”
“During the last 7 years, space technology has been converted into a tool of last-mile delivery and leakage-free, transparent governance”
“To develop a strong startup ecosystem, a platform approach is very important. A platform system is an approach where the government creates open-access public controlled platforms and makes them available to the industry and enterprises. Entrepreneurs prepare new solutions on this basic platform”