Govt’s Reforms And Decision To Open Space Sector To Private Companies Will Put India In New League: ISRO Chief Sivan 

The chief of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) K Sivan said on Thursday (25 June) that central government’s decision to open up the space sector to private enterprises will put India in a new league, reports India Today.

The ISRO chief reportedly said, “Department of Space will promote sector space activities to enable it to provide end to end space services, including building and launching of rockets and satellites as well as providing space-based services on commercial basis.”

“Space sector, where India is among handful of countries with advanced space technology, can play significant role in boosting industrial base of India. The government has decided to implement reformed measures to leverage Isro's achievement by opening space sector for private enterprises,” he added.

He further underscored, "As part of longer socio-economic reform, space reforms will improve access to space-based services for India's development. Far-reaching reforms will put India in league of few countries with efficient promotional and authorisation mechanism for private sector space activities."

It should be noted that Union Cabinet on Wednesday (24 June) announced its decision to set up Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) and approved participation of the private sector in the entire range of space activities, including planetary exploration missions.

Announcing the cabinet decision relating to Indian space sector Minister of State for Atomic Energy & Space, Jitendra Singh said one complaint against the existing set up was that it was not allowing level playing field for the private sector even though the capability was present.

Singh said the cabinet under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday decided to set up Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) to provide a level playing field for private companies to use Indian space infrastructure.

He also said the New Space India Limited (NSIL) will endeavour to re-orient space activities from a 'supply driven' model to 'demand driven' model, thereby ensuring optimum utilisation of the country's space assets.

"Excellent move which will unlock the full potential of Indian space sector. This will give a fillip to the growth of commercial-space in India, create jobs and contribute to economic growth," S. Rakesh, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, Antrix Corporation Ltd, told IANS.

"This decision may have effects comparable to the growth in Telecom sector experienced after the formation of National Telecom Policy in 1994," he added.

With IANS Inputs