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: 

1. 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. 
2. 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.