The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) has released the decadal vision and strategy for Indian space economy. The decadal vision and strategy have been developed by IN-SPACe and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) along with other stakeholders. The strategy defines India’s vision as a dominant global space power, which accelerates India’s growth through space applications, strengthens capabilities in space, creates socio-economic benefits and capabilities for growth to meet the country’s ambitions for the space sector.

Commenting on the development, Dr. Pawan Goenka, chairman, IN-SPACe, said, “As we unveil the decadal vision for Indian space economy, we emphasise that the future of the Indian space sector is a shared endeavor. Hence, our strategy fosters an era of collaboration between all stakeholders to accelerate growth. ISRO is opening its doors wider than ever to private sector participation, so that together, we can successfully boost the space economy for a resurgent Aatmanirbhar Bharat.”

At present, the Indian space economy is valued at around $ 8 billion with a 2 per cent share in the global space economy. India’s space economy has the potential to reach $ 44 billion by 2033 with about 8 per cent of the global share. The decadal vision addresses creation of demand, local manufacturing capabilities, infrastructure and provides a clear and comprehensive regulatory framework that will encourage and facilitate NGE (non-governmental entities) participation in the growth of the space sector.

Meanwhile, S. Somanath, secretary, Department of Space (DoS) and chairman, ISRO said, “The recent space sector reforms by the government of India has given a thrust in enabling the private sector to play a significant role in the development of the Indian space ecosystem. The decadal vision defines a roadmap on how the DoS along with IN-SPACe and ISRO will drive the emergence of private players. We are already witnessing the early signs of success of this endeavour.”

Salient features of the decadal vision and strategy:

The space ecosystem is broadly divided into three groups, namely, space-for-earth, access-to-space, and space-for-space.  The decadal vision and strategy for Indian space economy will be achieved through ten key strategic and enabling capabilities, including

  • Demand Generation
  • Earth observation (EO) platform
  • Communication platform
  • Navigation platform
  • Research and development
  • Ecosystem
  • Creation of a talent pool
  • Access to finance
  • International synergy and collaboration
  • Policy and regulation

The space economy decadal vision will create a thriving space ecosystem and expedite the emergence of India as a global space hub.