New Delhi: Indian startups will soon launch space satellites as well as satellite constellations and try their rockets. Five polar satellite launch vehicles (PSLVs) are being domestically produced by L&T and HAL, while OneWeb is all set to launch their satellites through Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and NSIL.
This was stated by Union minister of state for science and technology Jitendra Singh at the India Space Conclave here to mark the first anniversary of the Indian Space Association (IspA). He said the revolutionary and out of box decision of PM Narendra Modi to unlock the space sector for private players in June, 2020, which changed the very nature of space ecosystem of the country.
102 startups working in space sector
“Space reforms have unleashed the innovative potentials of start-ups and within a short span of time, from a couple of space startups three-four years back, today we have 102 start-ups working in cutting-edge areas of space debris management, nano-satellite, launch vehicle, ground systems, research etc,” said the minister, adding that with the integration of R&D, academia and industry with equal stake, it is safe to say that a space revolution led by ISRO along with the private sector and startups is on the horizon.
Limitless opportunities in space for enterprising minds
Singh said, the strength and innovative potential of our young and private industrial enterprise will take a lead in the global space technology disruption in times to come. He hoped that India’s young technology wizards shall breach new barriers in the field of space technology while they set out to address the limitless opportunities offered by the space domain.
Four core fundas of space reforms
Recalling the launch of ISpA, a premier industry association of space and satellite companies, last year, the minister said that the PM had said the space reform in India was based on four pillars-freedom to the private sector in innovation, the role of the government as an enabler, making youth future-ready and seeing the space sector as a resource for the progress of common man.
ISpA a flag-bearer of space tech domain
The Minister lauded the role of ISpA for marvellously working in developing and forming global linkages for the growth of the Indian Space Industry in a short span of one year. He said, members of ISpA are continuously striving in undertaking policy advocacy and engaging in the reciprocation of knowledge and vision to make India a flag bearer in the sphere of space tech domain.
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Singh said, ISpA is acting as a major contributor toward supplementing the Indian Government’s endeavours to make India acquire a leading position in the arena of commercialised space-based excursions. He said, for this, ISpA’s role as a commune to deliberate interactions between the key stakeholders becomes a vital and critical one.
Space has to play vital role in global conflicts
Dwelling on the strategic relevance of space in view of recent global conflicts, Singh said, space, a dual-use technology domain, is emerging as an important multi-faceted enabler that provides unprecedented reach. He added that many nations are today focusing on developing their military space capabilities to ensure its safe, secure, and friendly use along with deterrence capability to deny it to adversaries, when necessary.
ISpA to support Govt’s capacity building bid
The minister also underlined the constructive role played by ISpA in engaging with the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), ministry of defence and the three services to address their requirements and said that ISpA will play a much deeper role in supporting the capability and capacity-building initiatives of the Government in times to come.
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The Minister also unveiled a sector report titled “Developing the space ecosystem in India: focussing on inclusive growth” along with chairman ISpA, Jayant D Patil, Chairman, ISRO, S Somnath.
