Synopsis
The report titled “Space India 2.0: Commerce, Policy, Security and Governance Perspectives” was published by Observer Research Foundation in November 2017.
Key Points
- ISRO plans to increase its missions from 6-7 per year currently to 12 per year by 2020.
- ISRO aims to build an industry consortium by 2020 to boost satellite launches.
- ISRO is allowing Indian private companies to build and launch rockets like PSLV.
- ISRO plans to outsource manufacturing of navigation satellites to a private industry consortium.
- Indian private space startups like TeamIndus have secured launch contracts with ISRO.
- Indian space startups like Astrome aim to provide satellite-based internet to India.
- India’s National Optical Fibre Network project aims to provide broadband internet connectivity across India.
Analysis
- The report highlights the increasing commercialization and privatization of the Indian space sector.
- ISRO is encouraging greater private industry participation in building satellites, rockets and providing space-based services.
- Several Indian startups are emerging that aim to provide satellite-based services like internet access.
- But India still lags behind developed countries in per capita income and economic development. Space policy aims to spur innovation and economic growth.
In summary, the report discusses trends of liberalization and growth in India’s space sector with ISRO partnering with private industry and startups emerging to provide space-based services. But challenges remain in translating space investments into broader economic development.
