India Space Policy 2023

India Space Policy 2023
 

News: The government has approved the Indian Space Policy 2023 which seeks to boost private sector participation and increase investments in the space sector from private companies.
 

Background:

→ The space sector was opened up for private players in 2020 and since then India has seen more than 200 space start-ups taking the lead in the Space sector.

→ The policy has given further clarity to private players on the guidelines to be followed.
 

Need for New space policy:

→ India currently has about 2% of the Global space economy

→ The Indian space industry will be valued around $13 Billion by 2025

→ There is lot of potential in India’s youth who are highly skilled but are waiting for a chance to be part of Space sector

→ Cost-effectiveness

→ There’s already lot of manufacturing done by private sector and only assembling is done in ISRO. This can only improve with clear roles set by India space policy 2023.

→ World over there’s lot of private sector participation in space - The United States, Europe, and Russia — all have space industries with big players like Boeing, SpaceX, AirBus, Virgin Galactic.
 

Key details of India Space policy 2023:

Private sector participation

→ The policy seeks to institutionalize the private sector participation in the space sector, with ISRO focusing on research and development of advanced space technologies.

→ Opened up not only manufacturing but also given impetus to Space as a service. For example, private players can provide satellite services, launch services, Data service (How Musk’s Starlink network provided data to Ukraine government during ongoing Russia-Ukraine war), maintenance in space.
 

It sets clear roles and responsibilities

→ IN-SPACe – It will promote, handhold, guide and authorize space activities in the country.

→ ISRO – It will focus on R&D of new space technologies and applications. It will also transfer mature systems to the industry for commercial exploitation.

→ NSIL – it will be responsible for commercializing space technologies and platforms created through public expenditure.

→ Private entities – Manufacturing, services. They can offer national and international space based communication services etc.
 

Operational missions

 The operational part of ISRO’s missions will be moved to the NSIL
 

India’s share in Global space economy

Currently 2% but if the policy is successfully implemented it will increase to 10% in the future.
 

Need of the hour:

The New space policy is still short of a Bill. A bill will provide legal framework for commercial usage of space sector. It will help create mechanisms for insurance for instance against damage in space. Right now it is not an option which means huge cost for private players.
 

Way Forward

The New Space Policy will provide a strategic roadmap for the growth and development of India’s space program, to promote innovation, technological advancements, and international cooperation, and to ensure national security in the space domain.