UPSC » UPSC CSE Study Materials » General Awareness » Privatisation of the Indian Space Sector

Privatisation of the Indian Space Sector

NASA was established in 1958. It is an Indian space sector centre for use in spacecraft, satellite, space travel, support and infrastructure, and equipment.

Space technology also requires many potential spaces for the activities to be performed with less cost and improvement in performance. Many national agencies already accomplishing the nation’s civil space sector activities contributed to a significant reservation of the United States in space science technology. Satellite technology is a primary concern with tactical advantages based on satellite communications, affecting the opponent in the conventional war. Due to poor weather and visibility, the satellite weapons are jointly affected as they cannot join with a stand of weapons. It could only happen when they are deployed in weather conditions or any other ground support on which it works accordingly, such as GPS.

The Indian Space Sector

The Indian space sector has been operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The industry contains many private suppliers and different other departments of the space sector, which are all profit-making investigations. Few independent private agencies had been gaining an increase in the starter since the 21st century in space and the stream. They had already accounted for more than 7 million dollars in 2019. It has 2% of the global space industry, which has employed more than 45000 people. In 2021 the government of India had already launched the space association for opening the Indian space sector to the private sector or a startup. Private companies like Tata group, One web, Walchandnagar Industries, Toubro, etc., are the organisation’s founding members. It is expected that the industry would be grown up to $50 million in 2024 by providing proper policy support. In 2019 India already launched 30 satellites in various states. We learned that there were more than 40 startups in India with multiple stages of developing their own launched vehicles with satellite design and other allied activities. The private firms have already started to conclude as sub-contractors for various satellite components and rockets. 

Future of Space Exploration

The Indian space technology industry is still in its infancy. Since the Indian government began trying to privatise the space sector and bring in more corporations, many new players have sought to make a huge mark. As the year 2022 approaches, most companies are predicting the launch of their first space mission. Some are also developing platforms that will allow enterprises in India and elsewhere to access space technologies. Here are three of India’s most promising space-tech startups to watch in 2022.

1. Skyroot Aerospace 

Skyroot, along with Agnikula, is one of the most well-known names in the Indian space-tech industry. Skyroot was founded by ex-Isro scientists who worked on India’s space research association’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV)-Mk. It was made recently successful by the test-fired first D 3D printed liquid propulsion engine, also called ” Dhawan.”

2. Pixxel

Pixxel had intended to launch the first planned satellite, considered in early 2021. It was also expected that 2021 would be a big year for the company to design and manufacture its hyperspace travel imaging satellite. However, a last-minute software fault kept them from being (PSLV)-C51 mission of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

Awais Ahmed, Pixxel’s CEO and co-founder, had already recently told TechCircle of the company. It plans to launch two satellites in early 2022, with a third satellite being tested.

The company would begin supplying pictures and managed data to the clients already on board, making 2022 a new year of startup and serving it as a global company with a very high resolution of satellite data.

3. Dhruva Space 

Dhruva Space, like Pixxel, seeks to launch LEO satellites to provide clients with satellite photos and data. It does, however, plan to install several constellations based on the type of demand it receives from clients. It intends to build its ground for launching stations, which it would offer as a service to corporations seeking access to space. 

Dhruva Space’s first satellite launch is expected in 2022, as its creator revealed in a statement when the company announced its newest investment for the round of $2.9 million in October 2021.

What Is Meant by the Private Participation Sector?

Many private corporations and investors are already joining the project with the public sector or other institutions. Such participation is known as private participation. This participation spreads a very important risk across the numerous parties to ensure that no party bears sole financial responsibility.

A lot of money may be necessary for going through the proposal selections of the procedure. The private sectors that have already been putting money in the project fund are established or listed because the government appeals for private participation so that it would not be a burden for public sectors and the capital invested would be profitable.

International companies wanting to develop their operations in a new country may participate in private participation processes. Foreign-based companies can collaborate with international government organisations or other private companies during these projects.

Conclusion

The Indian space sector has driven the Indian Space Research Organisation. It includes approximately 500 private suppliers of various other departments, and many commercial types of research are held. India has already launched more than 300 satellites in the previous years. Currently, 40 startups in India are launching their vehicles and designing satellites with other activities. The government is also launching space exploration for starting to launch sounding rockets from Kerala. Many private sectors are investing in space associations, and private firms have begun to emerge for contracts for various missiles and satellites.

faq

Frequently asked questions

Get answers to the most common queries related to the UPSC Examination Preparation.

How many space companies are present in India?

Answer. There are 35 new startups in the space industry.  ...Read full

What are the private space companies in India?

Answer. The private companies that are the members of the space association ar...Read full

Is India currently having any space projects?

Answer. Yes, India currently has a space project. The name of the project is G...Read full

Name the space company of India?

Answer. The space association of India is ISRO.

What is the future of space exploration at ISRO?

Answer: The main motive of ISRO for the future of space exploration is ...Read full