Watch This Space Carefully

Context: Recently introduced India space sector reforms based on a multi-stakeholder engagement plan have created a transformative roadmap for space exploration.

Indian Space Sector Reforms

• Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe): for facilitating private companies to use Indian space infrastructure. 
• New Space India Ltd (NSIL): for redesigning space activity from a ‘supply-driven’ model to a ‘demand-driven’ and ensuring optimum utilisation of India’s space assets.
• ISRO will continue to take all key decisions: on space activities, projects and missions.
• ISRO will focus more on new research technologies, exploration missions, and India’s manned space program, Gaganyaan. 

Societal/ Everyday Applications of Space Technology 

• Low Earth orbit satellites-facilitated internet access: enables the functioning of Tele-education, telemedicine and Village Resource Centres.
• Forecasting of droughts, floods and weather patterns: for planning crop sowing, harvesting and predicting crop yield and productivity.
• Avoiding communication blackouts at sea, providing storm alerts, informing prevalence of fish: to fishermen through the GEMINI system.
• Transparency in governance: through geotagging and time-stamping of infrastructure, and then linking it to the Bhuvan Portal. 

• Geotagging is used in housing projects and MGNREGA.

• Augmenting Swachh Bharat plan: through Google Maps for listing, ratings, reviewing and upgrading public toilets.

Potential of Privatisation of Space Sector/Economy

• Innovative exploration and commercial space applications: are dominated by private players.
• Maximum scope for private players: in the downstream market which has a share of $4.7 billion (66%) in the Indian space economy ($7 billion).
• Private industry can contribute significantly: to national income and employment opportunities through STEM like initiatives.
• Could increase India’s share in the global space economy which is 2% now. 
• Provides an opportunity for expanding space associations
• India’s association with Nasa, Jaxa, CNES, and ESA, among other nations, on various projects.

Way Forward

• Strong governance and legal framework/support: through draft Space Activities Bill (SAB).
• IPR support system: for space entrepreneurs to provide the confidence to invest and ensure easy access to finances.
• Global demand mapping: to understand the short and medium-term space market needs and give it a macro perspective.