The new Indian Space Policy, which was made public on Thursday, mandates that the Indian Space Research Organisation cease creating operational space equipment. Instead, it should focus all of its resources on pursuing cutting-edge technology research and development.
According to the Indian Space Policy-2023, which was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security on 6 April, non-governmental entities (NGEs) are also allowed to offer domestic and international space-based communication services using self-owned, bought, or leased geostationary orbit (GSO) and non-geostationary satellite orbit (NGSO) satellite systems.
NGSO is a term used to describe satellites that transmit high-speed internet from low- or medium-earth orbits.
The strategy also encourages NGEs to develop and run ground operations for space object operations, such as satellite control centres (SCCs) and telemetry, tracking, and command (TT&C) Earth Stations.
Additionally, it enables NGEs to carry out full-cycle activities in the space industry through the development and management of space assets, ground-based resources, and ancillary services including communication, remote sensing, and navigation.
It encouraged NGEs to establish space objects for communication services over India and outside the country using either Indian orbital resources or non-Indian orbital resources.
The policy encouraged NGEs to design and develop reusable, recoverable, and reconfigurable technologies and space transportation systems, as well as to manufacture and operate space transportation systems, including launch vehicles and shuttles.
The commercial recovery of an asteroid resource or a space resource was also recommended for NGEs.
According to the statement, "Any NGE engaged in such a process shall be entitled to possess, own, transport, use, and sell any such asteroid resource or space resource obtained in compliance with applicable law, including the international obligations of India."
Industry leaders praised the policy as "futuristic" and said it will position India and the Indian Space Sector for the twenty-first century.
“This policy provides the much-needed clarity on all space activities, especially regarding space communication and other Applications,” Lt Gen A K Bhatt, Director General Indian Space Association, told PTI.
He said the policy will be a catalyst for the development of a robust innovative and globally competitive space ecosystem in India.
The policy also states that Indian consumers of space technology or services — such as communication, remote sensing, data services and launch services — whether from the public or the private sector, shall be free to directly procure them from any source.
The government unveiled space sector reforms in 2020 by opening it up for private participation and the new space policy, published on the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) website on Thursday, has been formulated as an overarching, composite and dynamic framework to implement the reform vision.
The policy states that ISRO, as the national space agency, will focus primarily on the research and development of new space technologies and applications and on expanding the human understanding of outer space.
To achieve this goal, the policy said ISRO shall carry out applied research and development of newer systems so as to maintain India’s edge in the sector in the areas of space infrastructure, space transportation, space applications, capacity building and human spaceflight.
It said the space agency shall transition out from the existing practice of being present in the manufacturing of operational space systems.
“Hereafter, mature systems shall be transferred to industries for commercial exploitation. ISRO shall focus on R&D in advanced technology, proving newer systems and realization of space objects for meeting national prerogatives,” the policy stated.
The policy stated that the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) shall function as an autonomous government organisation, mandated to promote, handhold, guide and authorise space activities in the country.
The policy stipulated that NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), the Department of Space's public sector initiative, would be in charge of commercialising any space technologies and platforms developed with public funds.
Additionally, it required NSIL to manufacture, lease, or purchase space-related technology, platforms, and other assets from the public or private sector using ethical business practises.
In accordance with sound commercial principles, the policy also charged NSIL with meeting the space-based needs of users, including both government and non-government enterprises.
It stated that the Department of Space shall supervise the assignment of duties described in this policy and guarantee that each stakeholder is adequately authorised to carry out their individual obligations without interfering with those of the others.