Last month, Indian space agency ISRO had announced that private companies including start-ups will be allowed to take part in India's space activities including planetary exploration, outer space travel among others and now, in a major announcement, ISRO Chairman Dr K.Sivan revealed the next phase a.k.a "Space 2.0" strategies including incorporation of new organization to implement the same. Dr Sivan, in a recent (separate) interaction with NDTV, said that private sector will now be allowed to build rockets too.
Even for ISRO's ongoing Gaganyaan mission, the agency has invited participation from private players for the new technologies that will have to be developed. ISRO is inviting private firms to participate in activities including building their own launchpads, launch vehicles, satellites and providing commercial services.
By allowing private firms to participate in all space activities at ISRO, the Indian space agency wants to focus on more advance technology development, indigenisation of technologies, and capacity building.
Beside, the Indian union cabinet, on Wednesday, has approved the formation of a new organisation called "Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) ", which will provide private firms with equal opportunities in the space sector.
IN-SPACe will have members from the Space Commission as well as industry representatives on its board.
Dr Sivan, who is also Secretary of the Department of Space (DoS), while interacting with media personnels through video-conferencing, further said on IN-SPACe that a majority of start-ups have shown interest in space applications.
While many start-ups have already shown interest to participate in the space sector that has now been opened up for private players, big corporates are yet to come forward.said Dr. K. Sivan
The IN-SPACe will also hand-hold, promote and guide the private industries in space activities through encouraging policies and a friendly regulatory environment,” the government said in a statement. ‘New Space India Limited (NSIL)’ would endeavour to reorient space activities from a ‘supply driven’ model to a ‘demand driven’ one, thereby ensuring optimum utilisation of the nation’s space assets, it stated.