PTIBengaluru: Setting a target to transform Indian industry from being a supplier of components to the global space sector to a builder of end-to-end space systems, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday launched the Indian Space Association (ISpA) which will act as the premier body for space and satellite companies in the country.
Stating that the government will play the role of an enabler and aggregator of space assets, Modi told the industry that this was not a time for linear innovation, but for exponential innovation, for which it was making launchpads and space facilities accessible to startups and the private sector.
“Our space sector is the medium of progress for 130 crore Indians. For us, the space sector means better mapping, imaging and connectivity for ordinary citizens, better speed of delivery for our entrepreneurs, better forecasts, protection and earnings for our farmers and fishermen, better supervision of the environment, and the safety of hundreds of thousands of people,” Modi said.
Also Read: OneWeb partners with Isro to launch satellites using GSLV-MKIII, PSLV
“These goals of the country are now the goals of the Indian Space Association (ISpA),” he added.
The Indian Space Association (ISpA) will be headed by Jayant Patil, senior executive vice president - Defence, L&T-NxT as its chairman, and Bharti Airtel's chief regulatory officer Rahul Vatts as its vice-chairman, while Lt Gen. A.K. Bhatt (Retd.) has been appointed as the director-general of the association.
Among its early members include Bharti Airtel, Larsen & Toubro, Nelco (Tata Group), OneWeb, Mapmyindia, Walchandnagar Industries and Ananth Technology Limited.
“We at ISpA along with the stalwarts of the space industry aspire to fulfil our PM’s vision of a technologically enabled and Atmanirbhar Bharat. We will work with all stakeholders, service providers, manufacturers, startups, MSMEs, and collaborate with IN-SPACe, department of telecom, Isro, Trai, the ministry of defence and others, especially in the field of policy advocacy, to create an enabling environment,” said Bhatt.
Pawan Goenka, the chairperson of IN-SPACe, said that India has already made large strides in the last six decades in developing space and space-related technologies, but pointed out that India was still a very small player in the global space economy at just about 2%, calling for a transition to what he said was Indian space 2.0.
“We clearly need to substantially increase our space capacities and activities from perhaps four to five launches a year. I believe we have tripled that number in the midterm and quickly have small launch vehicles operational from both Isro and the private sector,” Goenka said, adding that satellite design and manufacturing capabilities also need to be increased multifold.
The virtual launch of the ISpA, which was telecast live with members from various government departments and ministries, included a session for startups and industry players to suggest changes and enhancements to India’s plan for augmenting the space sector.
“The efforts of the Indian Space Association should create the ecosystem to accelerate the growth and development of the space industry in India, including startups, MSMEs and academia,” said K Sivam, chairman of Isro and secretary of the department of space.
Sivan said that since the space sector reforms in 2020, Isro has done everything it can to clear all the requests which have been taken care of to their appropriate levels. He added that with the constitution of IN-SPACe, the body will now take forward with the same vigour and enthusiasm the enablement of private industry in the space sector.
Among the most sought after demands from startups that interacted with the Prime Minister was greater clarity around the foreign direct investment (FDI) in the space sector to attract more investment, while also fast approval of policies governing the sector such as the National Space Transportation Policy and National Geospatial Policy.
Stating that the government will play the role of an enabler and aggregator of space assets, Modi told the industry that this was not a time for linear innovation, but for exponential innovation, for which it was making launchpads and space facilities accessible to startups and the private sector.
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Also Read: OneWeb partners with Isro to launch satellites using GSLV-MKIII, PSLV
“These goals of the country are now the goals of the Indian Space Association (ISpA),” he added.
The Indian Space Association (ISpA) will be headed by Jayant Patil, senior executive vice president - Defence, L&T-NxT as its chairman, and Bharti Airtel's chief regulatory officer Rahul Vatts as its vice-chairman, while Lt Gen. A.K. Bhatt (Retd.) has been appointed as the director-general of the association.
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Among its early members include Bharti Airtel, Larsen & Toubro, Nelco (Tata Group), OneWeb, Mapmyindia, Walchandnagar Industries and Ananth Technology Limited.
“We at ISpA along with the stalwarts of the space industry aspire to fulfil our PM’s vision of a technologically enabled and Atmanirbhar Bharat. We will work with all stakeholders, service providers, manufacturers, startups, MSMEs, and collaborate with IN-SPACe, department of telecom, Isro, Trai, the ministry of defence and others, especially in the field of policy advocacy, to create an enabling environment,” said Bhatt.
Pawan Goenka, the chairperson of IN-SPACe, said that India has already made large strides in the last six decades in developing space and space-related technologies, but pointed out that India was still a very small player in the global space economy at just about 2%, calling for a transition to what he said was Indian space 2.0.
“We clearly need to substantially increase our space capacities and activities from perhaps four to five launches a year. I believe we have tripled that number in the midterm and quickly have small launch vehicles operational from both Isro and the private sector,” Goenka said, adding that satellite design and manufacturing capabilities also need to be increased multifold.
The virtual launch of the ISpA, which was telecast live with members from various government departments and ministries, included a session for startups and industry players to suggest changes and enhancements to India’s plan for augmenting the space sector.
“The efforts of the Indian Space Association should create the ecosystem to accelerate the growth and development of the space industry in India, including startups, MSMEs and academia,” said K Sivam, chairman of Isro and secretary of the department of space.
Sivan said that since the space sector reforms in 2020, Isro has done everything it can to clear all the requests which have been taken care of to their appropriate levels. He added that with the constitution of IN-SPACe, the body will now take forward with the same vigour and enthusiasm the enablement of private industry in the space sector.
Among the most sought after demands from startups that interacted with the Prime Minister was greater clarity around the foreign direct investment (FDI) in the space sector to attract more investment, while also fast approval of policies governing the sector such as the National Space Transportation Policy and National Geospatial Policy.
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