IN-SPACe TO BE NEW SPACE INDUSTRY REGULATOR
WHY IN NEWS?
- Recently, the Government of India has created the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe), an independent nodal agency under the Department of Space.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- IN-SPACe, the new entity of the Department of Space, will have its own chairperson and board, and regulate and promote building of routine satellites, rockets and commercial launch services through Indian industry and startups.
- IN-SPACe, or Indian Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre, is touted as the body that will ensure a level playing field for Indian industry in a fast-growing global space sector.
- It will function autonomously and parallel to ISRO.
FUNCTIONS:
- Encourage, promote and handhold the private sector for their participation in the Space Sector.
- Currently, there are more than 500 private companies which partner with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in carrying out various space activities.
- They provide materials used in manufacturing, mechanical fabrication, electronic fabrication, system development, integration, etc.
- Draw up an integrated launch manifest considering the requirements for ISRO, New Space India Limited (NSIL) and private companies based on priorities and readiness level.
- After these reforms are implemented fully, the role of NSIL would be to build launch vehicles, provide launch services, build satellites, provide space-based services, technology transfers, etc.
- Work out a suitable mechanism to offer sharing of technology, expertise and facilities on free of cost wherever feasible or at reasonable cost basis to promote private companies.
- The government will allow utilising those infrastructures of ISRO which are otherwise not available elsewhere in India.
The decision of IN-SPACe shall be final and binding on all stakeholders including ISRO and private players will not be required to seek separate permission from ISRO.