ISpA Reflects on 2023 and Peeks into 2024
In a stellar showcase of prowess, India reached unprecedented heights in 2023 with the successful launches of Chandrayaan-3 and the Aditya-L1, its inaugural solar mission. Beyond solidifying India’s stature in the global space economy, these achievements propelled the private space sector within the country.
This year saw India forging strategic partnerships, notably with the USA and France, where the USA signed agreements on emerging technologies and joined the pivotal Artemis Accord. The fruition of these collaborations materialized in the upcoming launch of NISAR in India, scheduled for the first quarter of the following year, affirming India’s dedication to global space exploration.
While governmental space activities flourished, the private sector achieved significant milestones. OneWeb India, after ISRO/NSIL’s launch of its second satellite batch in March 2023, became the first company to secure IN-SPACe approval for satellite broadband services, poised to introduce space-based communication services in India. Concurrently, the Telecommunications Bill, 2023, securing legislative approval, marked a pivotal moment for India’s satellite communication sector, facilitating administrative spectrum allocation.
Lt. Gen. AK Bhatt, Director General of the Indian Space Association, emphasized the positive impact of the Telecommunications Bill, stating, “The decision by the government to allocate the satellite spectrum through a globally harmonized administrative method in the Telecommunications Bill, 2023 will pose a greater good for the nation and will spur growth in the nascent space industry, especially the downstream sector, foster healthy competition, and ensure a level playing field for all stakeholders involved. The satellite broadband will hold the biggest market for space related activities and will be the bridge to narrow the digital divide in the country by reaching the remotest rural locations where terrestrial networks haven’t yet penetrated. With these positives, the correct method of allocation of satellite spectrum through administrative method would be critical for this momentum to get carried forward in the lead private commercialization domain, which is satellite communication and also allow new players to enter the market.”
India’s Dynamic Space Startup Landscape
April 2023 witnessed Dhruva Space launching its satellite deployers and orbital link as part of POEM-2. Azista-BST, with the launch of ABA First Runner in June, marked another milestone. Skyroot Aerospace, unveiling Vikram-1 in October, showcased India’s largest private integrated rocket development facility, symbolizing advancements in private space endeavors.
Lt. Gen. AK Bhatt highlighted the pivotal role of Indian space startups, stating, “The Indian space startups have become a strong pillar for the private space industry in the last decade, especially after the landmark move of opening the Indian space sector to private companies by our Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi back in 2020. With a total funding of $123.90 million received in 2023, India’s space startups are not just stargazers but trailblazers in the commercial space race. This takes the total funding to $380.25, received by the Indian space startups till date. In the past year, a total of 54 new space startups have emerged, bringing the current count of space startups in India to 204.”
New Space Policy Unleashed
The unveiling of the New Space Policy 2023 in April marked a significant moment, allowing private entities to engage in diverse space activities, including launch vehicles, communications, applications, and future asteroid mining. The establishment of IN-SPACe as a regulatory agency added structure to this burgeoning sector.
Looking ahead to 2024, Lt. Gen. AK Bhatt anticipates the announcement of the eagerly awaited Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Policy, crucial for the space sector’s development. The Space Activity Bill is also expected to be discussed in Parliament, covering various facets of India’s space goals.
Private Space Odyssey Continues
Private sector initiatives abound, with Tata Advanced Systems collaborating with Satellogic Inc for local space technology capabilities. HAL-L&T’s consortium is advancing the production of five PSLV rockets, while Skyroot Aerospace gears up for an orbital launch in January 2024. Agnikul, Pixxel, and Azista-BST also showcase promising developments in their respective space endeavors.
Lt. Gen. AK Bhatt underscores the transformative potential of India’s private space sector, noting, “Policy wise, the eagerly awaited Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Policy which would be critical for the development of space sector, is in the final stages of being announced by the government. We also expect the Space Activity Bill to be discussed in the parliament which will cover various factors of India’s space goals, including insurance in space, international and national obligations, define offences and subsequent punishments, barriers of entry for private companies, liability for damages caused in space etc. These policies will help solidify the industry’s position and create more opportunities for the industry to grow at a much higher pace than before. We believe once the FDI Policy is in place, funds will flow from Indian big companies once it becomes profitable. There will be financial incentives to private players to be able to operate and they will be able to get finances not only from the country, but from international sources too.”
Opportunities and Developments Await in 2024
As 2024 approaches, anticipation is palpable in the private space sector. Skyroot Aerospace’s orbital launch, Agnikul’s rocket deployment, Pixxel’s satellite constellation expansion, and HAL-L&T’s collaboration are among the noteworthy developments on the horizon. The synergy between private entities and government entities signals a transformative year for India’s space exploration journey.
Lt. Gen. AK Bhatt concludes, “These opportunities and developments underscore the vibrancy and potential of India’s private space sector. With a convergence of technological advancements, policy support, and international collaborations, the private space industry is on the cusp of a transformative year, marking a new chapter in India’s space exploration journey.”
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