Space policy with focus on innovation, private participation on the anvil in Karnataka

Preliminary discussions on the space policy were held by the Department of Electronics Information Technology Biotechnology and Science & Technology recently.

“Karnataka has a huge ecosystem in the space sector and the policy will have initiatives to improve it further… The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) is headquartered in Bengaluru. We have the highest number of institutions related to the sector,” said Kharge.

According to sources, the policy will have a ‘Beyond Software’ approach. Establishing a manufacturing, assembly and testing ecosystem for components, systems and subsystems. It also aims at using space tech to deliver governance in critical sectors of the government.

The Karnataka policy will take cues from the India Space Policy, 2023, which has formalised technology transfer of Isro to non-government entities, and allowed private firms to independently operate in end-to-end core space activities, sources added.

In a post on X, Kharge said the Indian space economy could grow to $44 billion by 2033 from the current value of $8.4 billion. “Karnataka space ecosystem is in the best position to capitalize on it and eventually hold more (than) 40% of market share of Indian space economy,” he said.

Karnataka also has an Aerospace and Defence Policy, in which it provides incentives for tech firms to establish units in the state. The Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board also has established an aerospace park at Devanahalli.