The India Space Policy 2023 was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security on April 6, 2023 and made public on April 20, 2023. It is a logical corollary to the space sector reforms introduced by the Government in 2020 and catapults Indian Space Economy into a new era of innovation and global competitiveness. While the reforms in 2020 opened the doors to the space domain for the private sector, the recently announced policy provides a regulatory certainty to the space activities and an overarching, dynamic framework for implementation of these reforms.
Ambit of the Private Sector
The policy allows non-government entities (NGEs) to undertake end-to-end space sector activities including 1) establishment of space objects using Indian and/or non-Indian orbital resources, 2) establishment and operation of launch infrastructure and ground facilities for space objects operations, such as Telemetry, Tracking and Command (TT&C) Earth Stations and Satellite Control Centers (SCCs), 3) establishment and operation of remote sensing satellite systems and national and international space-based communication services, through self-owned, procured or leased Geo-Stationary Orbit (GSO)/Non-GSO communication satellites, 4) acquisition of Orbital Resources by making new International Telecommunication Union (ITU) filings through Wireless Planning & Coordination Wing of Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications (WPC DOT) or non-Indian administrations, and 5) manufacture and operation of space transportation systems, including launch vehicles, shuttles, etc. The NGEs can engage in the commercial recovery of an asteroid resource or a space resource. They could also undertake research, and develop and commercialize technologies and applications for enhancing and augmenting the satellite navigation, communication and remote-sensing developed and provided by the Government.
Role of the Regulator
The NGEs will be regulated and governed by the guidelines/ procedures prescribed by Indian National Space Promotion & Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe), which shall function as an autonomous Government organization. IN-SPACe shall act as the single window agency for the authorization of space activities, define frameworks for developing space industry standards, enable establishment of technical facilities by NGEs and provide a level playing field for utilization of space facilities between Government entities and NGEs. IN-SPACe would also work with the industry to promote identified space activities and establish India as a preferred global service provider for space-related products and services.
Play of the Government
The Government's strategy on the other hand will be to focus primarily on research and development of new space technologies and applications, and expanding the human understanding of outer space, through Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), its National space Agency. ISRO shall transition out from the existing practice of being present in the manufacturing of operational space systems, shall transfer mature systems to industries for commercial exploitation, and shall focus on realization of space objects for meeting national prerogatives, besides fostering collaborations and partnerships with industry and academia. The Department of Space (DOS) will be the nodal department for implementation of the Indian Space Policy 2023 and for providing public goods and services using space technology for national priorities. It shall oversee the distribution of responsibilities outlined in the policy, and interpret and clarify any ambiguities arising in its implementation. NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) as the Public Sector Undertaking under DOS shall be responsible for 1) commercializing space technologies and platforms created through public expenditure, 2) manufacturing, leasing, or procuring space assets and technologies, and 3) servicing the space-based needs of users, whether Government entities or NGEs.
Consumer Access
The policy provides that Indian consumers shall be free to directly procure space technology or services (such as communication, remote sensing, data-services, launch-services, etc.) from any source, whether private or public.
What lies ahead
The India Space Policy 2023 is a concise straightforward policy that covers all major aspects of the space sector. It lives up to the space vision of the Government which aims to develop India's flourishing commercial presence in space, use space as a driver of technology development, and derive benefits in terms of the nation’s socio-economic development, national security and protection of environment and lives, while pursuing peaceful space exploration, stimulation of public awareness and scientific quest. All this would certainly put India on the centerstage of space research and innovation. It also creates a lot of excitement regarding what unexplored frontiers will this open for India - will it be a manned mission to the Moon, or will India become a hub for Space tourism a la Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin, Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic and Elon Musk's SpaceX? Or will it propel India to meet its climate goals as it harnesses space-based solar power? The policy is quite progressive, but is the Indian private sector ready to launch itself into the mission? It would be interesting to see which Indian private companies jump into the fray.
According to the Economic Survey of India, India has over a hundred active space companies that would now line up before IN-SPACe for authorizations. As per Invest India, domestic private companies in the space sector have collectively raised more than $245 million in funding. In comparison, United States has about $28 billion invested in more than 3000 space tech companies. Given that India holds only about 2 to 3 percent share of the almost $500 billion global space industry, there is a lot of room to grow. With the space economy expected to grow to $1 trillion by 2040, India's role in this journey will be significant. It needs to gear up for the sharp demand for skills in the sector to keep pace with the jobs that will be created, and needs to ramp up its space education at various levels. Whatever unfolds going forward, one thing is certain - this policy is set to create a whole new private industry and shall provide opportunities to many young Indian scientists to pursue their space dreams without having to set their eyes on United States' National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
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