Lok Sabha Question No. 503 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-06
Subject: INSPACe
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: Sujay Radhakrishna Vikhepatil, Heena Vijaykumar Gavit, Rita Bahuguna Joshi, Shrikant Eknath Shinde, Krishna Pal Singh Yadav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 503

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 06, 2023 INSPACe

503. DR. SUJAY RADHAKRISHNA VIKHE PATIL:

DR. HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT:

PROF. RITA BAHUGUNA JOSHI:

DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE:

DR. KRISHNA PAL SINGH YADAV:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) the projected timeline for INSPACe to formulate a comprehensive regulatory  framework  policy  as  stipulated  in  national  space policy;
- (b) the  timeline  and  strategy  for  ISRO's  transition  away  from  its current practices as stipulated in the National Space Policy, 2023 and the manner in which the transition is going to affect Indian space industry;
- (c) whether the Government has considered as to how any delays in the formulation of the regulatory framework and ISRO's transition is  likely  to  impact  the  effective  implementation  of  the  National Space Policy, 2023;
- (d) if  so,  the  contingency  plans  that  are  in  place  to  address  the potential setbacks; and
- (e) whether the Government is considering to grant statutory status to INSPACe for better implementation of National Space Policy, 2023, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH):

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- (a) With the release of the Indian Space Policy-2023, a comprehensive  regulatory  framework  has  already  been  put  in place  for  providing  a  level  playing  field  to  Non-Government Entities in the Space sector through IN-SPACe. Further, detailed directives for implementation of the Indian Space Policy-2023 are being  formulated that  shall  enable  stakeholders  to  interpret  the policy and further detail the same.
- (b) ISRO's transition away from its current practice as stipulated in Indian  Space  Policy-2023  has  been  made  in  reference  towards increasing  the  role  of  Indian  Industries  in  the  manufacturing  of operational  space  systems  and  enabling  them  to  commercially exploit mature space systems. Further, ISRO shall focus on R&D in advanced technology, proving newer systems and realization of space objects for meeting national prerogatives.

The  above  transition  in  envisaged  to  widen  the  national  space ecosystem, increase industry participation and enable permeation of technologies from ISRO to the private sector.

- (c) The  Government  has  already  taken  concrete  steps  towards effective implementation of Indian Space Policy - 2023. With the roles of various stakeholders clearly defined viz. DOS, ISRO, NSIL and IN-SPACe, along with the provision for end-to-end participation  in  entire  value  chain  of  space  activities  by  NonGovernment  Entities , the  space  ecosystem  is  showing  signs  of expansion, especially in the private sector.

A few recent developments in this regard are provided below:

-  NSIL successfully executed its contract to launch 72 satellites of OneWeb to Low Earth Orbit through LVM3 M2 and M3 missions, respectively.
-  Launch  of  Vikram-S  (Prarambh  mission),  a  suborbital  launch vehicle from M/s Skyroot Aerospace Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad, was accomplished successfully in November 2022.
-  First private launchpad & mission control center established by M/s Agnikul Cosmos Pvt. Ltd., Chennai in ISRO campus at SDSC, SHAR.
-  IN-SPACe  launched  Seed  Fund  scheme  to  provide  initial financial  assistance  to  Indian  early-stage  space  start-ups through a grant of up to INR 1 cr. under the scheme, the first
- announcement  of  opportunity  in  agricultural  sector  using space technology was announced in April, 2023
-  In August 2023, ISRO achieved a major feat as Chandrayaan-3 lander, Vikram, successfully soft-landed on the Moon. Subsequently, the rover, Pragyan, ramped down on the lunar surface.
-  In September 2023, ISRO launched India's first solar observatory - the Aditya-L1 spacecraft.
-  In October 2023, ISRO accomplished the first developmental flight of Test Vehicle (TV-D1) with the in-flight abort demonstration of the Crew Escape System (CES). TV-D1 Crew Module was safely recovered from sea with the help of Indian Navy and transported back to ISITE, Bengaluru
- (d)
- Does not arise.
- The  Indian  Space  Policy  2023  clearly  defines  the  roles  and responsibilities of all the stakeholders viz. DOS, ISRO, IN-SPACe

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- (e) and NSIL