The opening up of India’s space sector
Context: Right governance structure in the Space sector will be crucial in attracting private investment and promote innovation growth.
Recent steps in the Space sector:
- Private sector participation: in range of space activities from satellite-based service provision to rocket launches.
- IN-SPACe: the implementing agency that will provide a level-playing field to private operators and facilitate their growth.
- Implementation:
- Fair rules and regulation: Government must signal that all investors will be treated fairly and the rules will not be changed mid-way to benefit incumbents or favored players.
- Creation of robust regulatory authority: IN-SPACe is to be an autonomous nodal agency that won’t be influenced by ISRO and it won’t influence ISRO’s work.
Major challenge before IN-SPACE:
- Division of roles and resources between ISRO and NewSpace:
- Currently, the secretary to the Department of Space and then Chairman is held by the same person. (Shri K .Sivan).
- Effective regulator: to ensure that private players get fair, non-discriminatory access to common infrastructure.
- Small, innovative start-ups are unlikely to have the energy to navigate government offices in pursuit of complex clearances.
Suggestion: Separation of “steering" and “rowing" functions as the core strategy of reform
- Empower IN-SPACE to take on the authority to issue the numerous licences and clearances required from other ministries and departments.
- Effective regulation to ensure that there is a fair competition, which protects customer interests.
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