GS Paper 3
Syllabus: Science and Technology: Space
Source: FE
Context: The government has approved the Indian Space Policy (ISP) 2023, to boost private sector participation and increase investments in the space sector from private companies.
Need for Indian Space Policy 2023:
- India currently has about 2% of the Global space economy (the USA has over 50% share)
- Indian Space Industry was valued at $7 billion in 2019 and aspires to grow to $50 billion by 2024.
- India needs to utilise its cost-effectiveness in the space sector
- The size of the space economy in India is small and is mostly government funded.
- Increase private sector participation: The United States, Europe, and Russia — all have space industries with big players like Boeing, SpaceX, AirBus, Virgin Galactic, etc.
Details of the ISP 2023:
| Dimension | Details |
| Private sector participation | The policy seeks to institutionalize the private sector participation in the space sector, with ISRO focusing on research and development of advanced space technologies.
The private sector can take part in end-to-end space activities that include building satellites, rockets, launch vehicles, data collection, and dissemination. |
| Private sector infrastructure | The policy encourages the private sector to invest in creating new infrastructure for the sector and outlines the framework for the private sector to use ISRO facilities for a small charge. |
| Global Space Economy | India’s share in the global space economy (currently at less than 2%) will be increased to 10% in the future.
|
| Roles and responsibilities | The policy delineates the roles and responsibilities:
ISRO: It will focus on developing new technologies, new systems, and research and development. It will not do any operational and production work for the space sector.
NSIL: It will carry out strategic activities related to the space sector and will work in a demand-driven mode.
INSPACe: It will be the interface between Indian Space Research Organisation and non-governmental entities. |
| Operational missions | The operational part of ISRO’s missions will be moved to the NSIL |
Conclusion
The policy will provide a strategic roadmap for the growth and development of India’s space program, to promote innovation, technological advancements, and international cooperation, and to ensure national security in the space domain.
About
ISRO: The Indian Space Research Organisation (est. 1969; founder- Vikram Sarabhai; parent org: Space Commission; HQ: Bengaluru) is the national space agency of India, operating under the Department of Space.
IN-SPACE: It acts as a single-point interface between ISRO, and everyone who wants to participate in space-related activities or use India’s space resources.
NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) (announced in Budget 2019, PSU under the Department of Space) aims to use research and development carried out by ISRO over the years for commercial purposes through Indian industry partners.
Insta Links
Mains Link:
What is India’s plan to have its own space station and how will it benefit our space programme? (UPSC 2019)
Discuss India’s achievements in the field of Space Science and Technology. How the application of this technology has helped India in its socioeconomic development? ( UPSC 2016)
Prelims Links
Consider the following statements: (UPSC 2016)
The Mangalyaan launched by ISRO
- is also called the Mars Orbiter Mission
- made India the second country to have a spacecraft orbit the Mars after USA
- made India the only country to be successful in making its spacecraft orbit Mars in its very first attempt
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: C
