Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe)

IN-SPACe: India’s Answer to SpaceX

We have all heard about the famous proverb, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” India has taken such a landmark decision in its space exploration program with the creation of IN-SPACe

In order to enable India to expand its global footprint in the $360 billion space market, the government decided to set up a the regulatory body called the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe)

The objective will be to encourage private participation in India’s space research program. We all have heard about SpaceX, the first private space exploration company founded by a legendary entrepreneur Elon Musk. He created history when SpaceX became the first space company to develop a reusable rocket.

India is also following the footsteps of SpaceX in order to encourage private players in developing space shuttles and rockets.

ISRO chairman K Sivan, who’s also the secretary of the department of space, explains the objective to set up India’s the first decentralized regulatory body called the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre

Difference between ISRO and IN-SPACe

The setting up of nodal agency IN-SPACe won’t affect ISRO’s functioning as the proposed agency will be a fourth vertical under the department of space. Currently, ISRO is one vertical and it controls many centers

The second vertical is various autonomous bodies and the third one is the public sector entity New Space India Ltd (NSIL).

IN-SPACe will be a totally autonomous body, which won’t be influenced by ISRO and it won’t influence ISRO’s work.

IN-SPACe will have its own chairman, directorate and cadre

Any private company can make a demand before IN-SPACe for either using its testing facilities or systems of ISRO, the nodal agency will talk to the respective authorities before granting access to private players

Once IN-SPACe makes a decision on an application in consultation with ISRO, then that decision will be binding on ISRO and other stakeholders. So, only the mission-specific IN-SPACe’s decision will be binding.

 

How will it benefit India’s space research program?

As per the new reforms, the private sector will now play a big role in the space sector. Till now, private players or a consortium of companies had been making and supplying components of rockets and satellites to ISRO.

Now, private companies can produce their own satellites and rockets and use ISRO’S launch facility to launch them for a fee. So, the private players will be involved in a project from start to finish. This will spur commercialization of satellite and rocket manufacturing and revolutionize the entire process, which till now was confined to ISRO.

Students can make mini-satellites and can launch them from ISRO facilities and ISRO will be funding these projects.

The government must also lay down significant changes in both policy and the sector’s culture. Only then can it enable a private space economy of global interest and significance.

Prakash Javadekar said, “India has excelled in the space sector and built up good space assets. Now, the Modi government has decided to open up space assets for all.” With these reforms, the sector will receive new energy and dynamism to help the country leapfrog to the next stages of space activities”

Jitendra Singh said, “The new board will provide a level-playing field to private companies to use India’s space infrastructure and will also hand-hold, promote and guide the private industry in space activities by encouraging policies and a friendly regulatory environment.”

We think in the near future, ISRO won’t be able to fulfill India’s space mission alone. Therefore, PM Modi’s initiative to allow bigger participation of private players will help meet the country’s requirement for such space-based applications effectively and efficiently

Drawbacks: A revisit to the Past

India’s history with private players involved in space and telecommunications activities haven’t been smooth.

The Antrix-Devas issue, in which India was held responsible for violating a bilateral investment treaty suffices to tell us that we need to clear bureaucratic processes involved in managing contracts between the state and the private sector.

The 2G spectrum scam also dealt a body blow to India’s efforts to project itself as an investment-friendly telecommunications and satellite communication market.

The persons charged with the corruption haven’t been convicted either, further undermining India’s position in proceedings initiated against it by investors aggrieved by the cancellations.

 

Thank You

Team Being-Inkspired

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