India Opens Up Space Sector to Private Players
The Indian government has taken a significant step towards opening up the country's space sector to private players. The new space policy, released last year, outlines the roles of various government bodies, including the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Department of Space, as well as the participation of non-governmental entities in India's space ecosystem.
To effectively implement this policy, the space regulator IN-SPACe has unveiled norms, guidelines, and procedures. These regulations aim to provide a predictable regulatory regime, transparency, and ease of doing business in the Indian space sector.
The 147-page document lists out space activities that require authorization from IN-SPACe. This includes activities such as building and launching satellites, setting up ground stations, sharing remote sensing data, and operating space transportation systems. The document also specifies the criteria for granting such authorizations and provides necessary guidelines for applicants.
The new regulations require any entity, whether Indian or foreign, carrying out space activities within India's territory, exclusive economic zone, or jurisdiction to obtain authorization from IN-SPACe. This includes activities such as launching, operating, guiding, and planning the re-entry of space objects, establishing communication and remote sensing satellites, hosting payloads, and disseminating high-resolution remote sensing data pertaining to Indian territory.
While only Indian entities can directly apply for authorization, non-Indian entities can collaborate with Indian partners to participate in space activities. The authorized representative/dealer of non-Indian entities can also seek IN-SPACe authorization for specific categories, such as providing communication services or disseminating space-based earth observation/remote sensing data in India.
The new regulations also outline the process for registering space objects in India's national registry. Operators are required to provide detailed information about their space objects and ensure compliance with space debris mitigation guidelines and operational safety protocols.
This move by the Indian government is expected to boost the country's space sector by attracting private investment and fostering innovation. It will also allow India to leverage its space capabilities for various applications, including communication, navigation, earth observation, and disaster management.