Indian Space Association Launch: ‘Moving to Space Age, India cannot be left behind,’ says PM Modi

PM Modi says the space needs an open platform approach as well. Startups and private enterprises need to find new avenues in the Space sector, he stresses. 

PM Modi says the world is moving away from the Information Technology age to the Space age and that India cannot be left behind. 

PM Modi says space technology can play an important role in the welfare of the nation. India has end-to-end space technology from launch vehicles to satellites, etc, he points out.  

PM Modi says In-Space will help boost the private space sector. He says the space sector for India will mean better forecast for farmers, for fishermen, a better watch of our ecology, and better forecasting of natural disasters. "The country's vision is clear: Atmanirbhar Bharat. It is a well-thought, integrated economic strategy," PM Modi says. 

We are a decisive govt. We have taken big reforms for the space sector in India, says PM Modi.

"Our approach for space reforms is based on these pillars. The first is to give full freedom to innovate to the private sector. Second, the government sector will work as an enabler. The third is getting the youth ready for the future. We have new thinking around space sector. No time for linear innovation. Time for exponential innovation. Govt will have to be enabler, not handler in space sector," says PM Modi.  

This startup has signed an MOU with ISRO to help with facility sharing. The company wants to compete globally with other players in the space launch market. The startup has been setup by former engineers of the rocket design centre of ISRO. 

"We have signed an MoU to test our stage launch vehicles with ISROs. Our engineers are developing new technology thanks to the InSpace initiative of the government," he says. 

MapMyIndia is also part of the Indian Space Association. MapMyIndia has already partnered with ISRO and will use the latter's satellites to help add more information on its own maps. "We are bringing on 4D mapping technology to make detailed maps of India," Verma says. 

Astrome technologies want to make space-based broadband cheaper and available in rural areas. They will also use mm-Wave technology to boost connectivity in parts of India .

Pixxel plans to launch an imaging satellite using ISRO's rocket later this year. Pixxel plans to put a number of satellites into space. The startup wants to build a constellation of hyperspectral earth imaging satellites and will then use analytical tools to mine insights from that data. The startup is around 2 years old. 

Walchanagar industries has been a partner and supplier to ISRO since the 1960s. "The development of a new space communications policy, and most importantly allowing the use of government facilities for startups will help boost the space industry. My request is to work jointly with Dept of Space, Ministry of Finance, with PM's office, to get access to cost-effective capital and subsidies for manufacturing. It will require many of us to invest in order to boost space manufacturing in India," he says. 

Also calls for more engagement between industry, government and academics to develop intellectual property going forward. 

'Our industry has come a long way. The progress has been very, very high in the last five years. We believe that as a sector we can become a global force,' PJ Nath, Nelco (Tata Group). The whole world is looking for a new space policy and it can help us with future planning as well, he says. Nelco looks at satellite communications. 

 

Sunil Mittal now talking about Airtel's One Web. He explains how the US, Russia are pouring billions of dollars into the space industry. "The entire direction of this industry is changing, and if we do not adopt this, then our country could have been left behind," he explains. He also gives thanks to the Prime Minister for taking timely action on the issue. 

One Web will rely on ISRO's PSLV's Mark III to put their satellites into the constellation. One Web plans to beam internet down to the Earth, just like SpaceX's Starlink is planning to do. One Web will put 36 more satellites into space in the coming week. 

The idea is to bring broadband connectivity from space. "We request you to ensure that the approval process should move at a fast pace," Mittal adds. The next three-four years are very critical for this industry. He requests the PM to keep a personal interest in this industry. 

It is good to see that the industry body has been created so quickly, he says. 

Today marks a new flight for Indian Space. For 75 years, Indian Space was controlled by the Indian government and organisations. Indian scientists have reached new milestones. But the need of the hour is that the space sector should be made open for all talents, be it the private sector or the government sector. Indian Space Association will help take the space industry forward in India, says PM Modi. 

Ashwini Vaishnaw: Space tech can help us reach areas which are conventional methods are not possible. It is a complex subject. I request the industry to study global examples and come up with recommendations that will help us formulate policy in that direction. Indian Railways is also a big consumer of space technology. I request to industry to have a detailed study with our railway officers on what are the best applications we can adopt to make railways more efficient. 

'PM's vision of opening up space sector is being organised. New opportunities will open up for the industry, for research, for startups, and for other govt organisations. ISpA will help to evolve the space sector in India. This organisation will help us to harness talent to solve some of the most  challenging problems we are facing today," he says. 

The establishment of Indian Space Association is a welcome step, says Ajit Doval. 

Private sector is an equal stakeholder in nation-building. Global space industry is poised to grow. With appropriate policies, India's private space industry can become a co-traveler in the space story. 

Calls launch of ISpA an important milestone. 

"It is time for the private sector to step into the space industry," Mittal says. Airtel has invested in OneWeb, which will help boost internet connectivity in the country with the help of satellites. 

'I'm glad we have been able to pull all players of the space industry under one roof with ISpA. I've been associated with this industry for a year and a half. I can say that the space race has truly begun. We are seeing large powerful countries with private players are moving their agenda at a fast pace. We are our delighted that PM has taken a timely step in the space vision," he says.