Space- Role for private sector

Indian context

The Indian space programme is not just about civilian applications for remote-sensing, meteorology and communication, as in the early decades. India’s space sector and its requirements have grown enormously in the last decade to include television and broadband services, space science and exploration, space-based navigation and, of course, defence and security applications. Besides the commercial wing of ISRO, the ATRIX provides satellite launching services internationally. Despite the low-cost services , India’s share in global space commerce is mere 2%.

Indian initiative for private sector collaboration

• Under Atmanirbhar Bharat, the Finance Minister proposed comprehensive reforms in space sector to ensure greater participation of private sector.
• Newly formed ‘New Space India Limited’ (NSIL), an initiative to engage private sector.
• ISRO began to work with a few in the private sector such as the Bengaluru-based Alpha Design Technologies, contracted to build satellites. Similarly, Bellatrix Aerospace began to work with ISRO on advanced in-space propulsion systems.

Way forward

• In India the same agency has undertaken promotion, commercial and regulatory function, which is not healthy. Need an independent regulator in the sector to ensure transparency ,better responsibility and regulation and a level playing field.
• Address concerns of private sector on issues such as sharing of intellectual property (IP) of their products,by establishing a robust IP regime.
• Rather than viewing private companies as manufacturering and service partners, they should be involved in serious business of product development.
• A certain amount of democratisation of space technology with the participation of the private sector.
• Most of all implementation of these initiatives, not the lip service, is most important.