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Space Technology Startup: 75 Startups Registered Under Space Technology Category

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In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh disclosed that around 75 start-ups have registered under the space technology startup category in the Startup India portal. He claims that there are several more firms in the space sector that are registered under different categories.

He stated that the Department of Space (DoS) is revising existing space policies and drafting a new policy framework to address various space sectors such as SpaceComm, Remote Sensing, Technology Transfer, Navigation, Space Transportation, Space Exploration, and Space Situational Awareness in order to facilitate private sector participation in space activities.

The aforementioned policy framework includes provisions for the growth of the private sector, particularly MSMEs and startups in the space industry.

Dr. Jitendra Singh stated in response to a question in the Lok Sabha about the steps taken by the government to bring private players on board to get their participation in ISRO’s space activities: “The Government of India announced reforms in the space sector in June 2020, with the goal of enabling private players to provide end-to-end services, and as a result, the following steps were taken:

  • The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe), a national-level independent Nodal Agency under the Department of Space, was established for promoting, handholding, approving, and licensing commercial companies to carry out Space Activities.
  • Private organizations are given access to ISRO facilities and knowledge to help them with their space endeavors. ISRO would also support Indian space companies by providing its knowledge of quality and reliability norms, paperwork, and testing methods, among other things.
  • A call for opportunities has been issued, with challenges in new areas of space technology being offered.
  • New Space India Ltd (NSIL), a CPSE under the Department of Space, will transfer ISRO’s mature technology to Indian companies.
  • Existing space policies are being revised, and new policies are being drafted to address policy frameworks for various areas such as SpaceCom, Remote Sensing, Technology Transfer, Navigation, Space Transportation, Space Exploration, and Space Situational Awareness, in order to facilitate private sector participation in space activities.
  • The department is also in the process of creating National legislation to meet the appropriate legal framework. The public and legal consultations on the draught Space Activities Bill are now complete, and it will be processed for additional clearances for inter-ministerial consultations.

The Minister also stated that the government intends to enable FDI to increase international investment in the space industry.