Indian Space Policy-2023
Indian Space Policy-2023 Context:
The new Space Policy, approved by the Union Cabinet on April 6 but made public on Thursday, has sparked cautious optimism in India’s burgeoning private sector start-up sector.
Points to Ponder:
- The Union Cabinet has approved the Indian government’s new Space Policy, dubbed the Indian Space Policy-2023, which aims to increase private sector participation in space activities.
- The policy establishes four separate organisations: IN-SPACe, ISRO, NSIL, and the Department of Space.
- IN-SPACe will act as a “single window” approval and authorization agency for space launches, as well as create launch pads, buy and sell satellites, and disseminate high-resolution data.
- ISRO will concentrate on outer space research, including the development of new space technologies and applications to keep India at the forefront of space infrastructure, transportation, applications, capacity building, and human spaceflight. It will also share non-government entities, including private firms, with technologies, products, procedures, and best practices.
- NSIL will be in charge of commercialising space technologies and platforms developed with public funds. It will produce, lease, or acquire space components, technologies, platforms, and other assets from the private or public sectors.
- The Department of Space will provide general policy guidelines as well as facilitate international collaboration and conflict resolution related to space activities.
- The new programme highlights private sector engagement as a key benefit, although it will be limited to Indian firms.
- According to experts, the clear demarcation of roles among multiple institutions allows for the development of a private sector space industry, with IN-SPACe playing a crucial role in fostering it.
- The policy also allows for open access to satellite data, with satellite pictures having a ground sample distance (GSD) greater than five metres made freely available. However, due to national security concerns, individuals with a GSD of less than 30 cm require IN-SPACe authorization.
- The policy has been hailed as a significant first step in the commercial space ecosystem; nevertheless, further guidance and clarification on the functions of the new bodies are required to aggressively demand goods and services from private start-ups and for IN-SPACe to take on regulatory roles.
