• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) recently released the Indian Space Policy 2023 which had been in the works for some years.
• However, it needs to be followed up with suitable legislation, accompanied by clear rules and regulations.

India’s space industry and space economy

• Until the early 1990s, India’s space industry and space economy were defined by ISRO.
• Private sector involvement was limited to building to ISRO designs and specifications.
• The Second Space Age began with the licensing of private TV channels, the explosive growth of the Internet, mobile telephony, and the emergence of the smartphone.
• Now, ISRO’s budget is approximately $1.6 billion, and India’s space economy is over $9.6 billion.
• Broadband, OTT and 5G promise a double-digit annual growth in satellite-based services.
• It is estimated that with an enabling environment, the Indian space industry could grow to $60 billion by 2030,
• It will directly create more than two lakh jobs.

Satellite Communication Policy

• The first satellite communication policy was introduced in 1997, with guidelines for foreign direct investment (FDI) in the satellite industry that were further liberalised but never generated much enthusiasm.
• Now, more than half the transponders beaming TV signals into Indian homes are hosted on foreign satellites, resulting in an annual outflow of over half a billion dollars.

Remote sensing data policy:

• A remote sensing data policy was introduced in 2001, which was amended in 2011; in 2016,
• It was replaced by a National Geospatial Policy that has been further liberalised in 2022.
• Yet, Indian users spend nearly a billion dollars annually to procure earth observation data and imagery from foreign sources.

Draft Space Activities Bill

• A draft Space Activities Bill was brought out in 2017, which went through a long consultative process.
• It lapsed in 2019 with the outgoing Lok Sabha.

Indian Space Policy 2023 is different

• Indian Space Policy 2023’s Vision is to enable, encourage and develop a flourishing commercial presence in space.
• The vision suggests an acceptance that the private sector is a critical stakeholder in the entire value chain of the space economy.
• The Indian Space Policy 2023 makes five key points that define its role in India’s “socio-economic development and security, protection of environment and lives, pursuing peaceful exploration of outer space, stimulation of public awareness and the scientific quest”.

First

• Space-based intelligence, reconnaissance, surveillance, communication, positioning and navigation capabilities are increasingly seen as mission-critical by the defence services.
• India conducted a successful A-SAT (anti-satellite) direct ascent test in March 2019.
• India set up the Defence Space Agency and the Defence Space Research Organisation in the same year.
• A defence-oriented space security policy document will be a separate document.
• The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the Departments of Commerce and Transportation put out a space policy in the United States.
• On the other hand, the Department of Defense and the Director of National Intelligence are responsible for the space security strategy.

Second

• The Indian Space Policy lays out a strategy and defines the roles of the Department of Space, ISRO, Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), and NewSpace India Limited (NSIL).

Third

• The Indian Space Policy states that ISRO will transition out of the existing practice of being present in the manufacturing of operational space systems.
• Hereafter, mature systems shall be transferred to industries for commercial exploitation.
• ISRO shall focus on R&D in advanced technology, proving newer systems and realisation of space objects for meeting national prerogatives.
• ISRO''s new policy includes sharing technologies, products, processes, and best practices with Non-Government Entities (NGEs) and/or Government companies.
• This means that ISRO will use its qualified and talented manpower to focus on cutting-edge research and development and long-term projects such as Chandrayaan and Gaganyaan.
• NSIL will become the interface for interacting with the industry, undertaking commercial negotiations and providing hand-holding support to ensure smooth and efficient transfer of technologies.

Fourth

• The NGEs are allowed to undertake end-to-end activities in the space sector through the establishment and operation of space objects, ground-based assets and related services, such as communication, remote sensing, navigation, etc.
• The Indian Space Policy allows satellites to be self-owned, procured, or leased, and communication services to be over India or outside.
• Remote sensing data can be disseminated in India or abroad.
• NGEs can design and operate launch vehicles for space transportation and establish their infrastructure.
• NGEs can make filings with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and engage in commercial recovery of asteroid resources.
• Security agencies can task NGEs for procuring tailor-made solutions to address specific requirements.
• The activities of the NGEs will be in keeping with guidelines and regulations to be issued by IN-SPACe.

Fifth

• IN-SPACe is expected to create a stable and predictable regulatory framework that will ensure a level playing field for the NGEs.
• It will act as a promoter by setting up industry clusters and as the regulator, issue guidelines on liability issues.

Gaps in Indian Space Policy 2023

Lack of Timeline

• The policy sets out an ambitious role for IN-SPACe but provides no time frame for the necessary steps ahead.
• Neither is there an indicative timeline for ISRO’s transitioning out of its current practices nor is there a schedule for IN-SPACe to create the regulatory framework.
• The policy framework needs clear rules and regulations regarding FDI and licensing, government procurement to sustain new space start-ups, liability in case of violations, and an appellate framework for dispute settlement.

Legislative Authority

• A regulatory body needs legislative authority.
• Examples:
• Reserve Bank of India was set up by 1934 RBI Act,
• Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) by 1992 SEBI Act, and
• Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) by 1997 TRAI Act.
• IN-SPACe is expected to authorise space activities for all, both government and non-government entities.
• Currently, it is functioning under the purview of the Department of Space.
• The Secretary (Space) is also the Chairman of ISRO, the government entity to be regulated by IN-SPACe.

The Space Policy 2023 is reflecting good intentions and a vision. But it is necessary to provide the necessary legal framework to translate this vision into reality, to successfully launch India into the Second Space Age.