Lok Sabha Question No. 1433 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-31
Subject: Support to Space Technology Start-Ups
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: Ms. S Jothimani

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1433 TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 2024 SUPPORT TO SPACE TECHNOLOGY START-UPS

1433.  MS. S JOTHIMANI:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the number of private start-ups related to space tech services in India currently;
- (b) whether there is any proposal of a Public Private Partnership (PPP) for the advancement of space technology;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether any space technology start-up has approached ISRO for their operations and ventures and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether  the  Union  Government  has  any  concrete  plan  to develop a policy in order to enhance support to such start-ups?

## 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) As on date a total of 229 space start-ups have registered under space technology category compared to just 01 (one) in 2014

(b) & (c)

Yes Sir, the Space Commission has approved the framework to realize Earth Observation (EO) satellite constellations by NGEs under  PPP  model  in  its  152 nd   meeting.  NSIL  has  floated  a proposal for launch vehicle production in PPP model.

- (d) Following  the  sectoral  reforms,  the  Indian  Space  arena  is witnessing a rapid growth of start-ups and private firms. ISRO, towards  facilitating  a  vibrant  space  ecosystem  in  India,  has been extending its technical support, sharing its expertise and facility  utilisation  through  IN-SPACe.  Its  support  for  a  recent suborbital mission 'Agnibaan SOrTeD', conducted by M/s Agnikul Cosmos, an Indian start-up showcases the willingness of the organisation to support and nurture private startups in India's space sector. Similarly, with an  ample technical support from ISRO, M/s Skryroot Aerospace  successfully launched a maiden sub-orbital flight  ('Vikram-S')  last  year.  In addition to above, ISRO has been extending technical supports to several space start-ups involved in launch vehicle building, satellite development, space applications and ground systems.
- (e) Yes Sir, the following major initiatives have been taken by the government  to  encourage  more  entrepreneurs  to  enter  the space Tech sector and contribute to Indian space economy
-  The space sector has been liberalised and private sector allowed to carry out   end to end space activities.
-  Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre  (IN-SPACe)  was  created  in  Department  of  Space for promoting, authorising and overseeing the activities of non-government entities (NGEs) in Space Sector.
-  The Indian Space Policy - 2023 has been formulated by the Government to provide regulatory certainty to space activities  by  various  stakeholders,  in  order  to  create  a thriving space ecosystem.
-  In order to ease access to foreign capital by Indian NGEs, IN-SPACe  along  with  Department  of  Space  has  brought out revised FDI policy for Space Sector.
-  IN-SPACe  has  conceptualized  and  launched  "IN-SPACe Pre-Incubation Entrepreneurship (PIE) Development Program".  This  program  will  not  only  help  to  transform the idea into a prototype but also help in the development of entrepreneurs and allied business skills.
-  Various  schemes  to  encourage  and  hand  hold  private sector  also  announced  and  implemented  by  IN-SPACe, i.e., Seed fund Scheme, Pricing Support Policy, Mentorship support, Design Lab for NGEs, Skill Development  in  Space  Sector,  ISRO  facility  utilisation support,  Technology  Transfer  to  NGEs,  creation  of  INSPACe Digital Platform to connect all the stakeholders of space ecosystem etc.
-  Decadal vision and strategy for Indian space economy is also  announced  by  IN-SPACe,  which  shall  increase  the share of India in overall space economy.
-  IN-SPACe has been driving international outreach activities in terms of collaborations and partnerships with international space organizations and companies  for various business and investment opportunities.
-  IN-SPACe  is  encouraging  Indian  industry  to  take  up  the local manufacturing of the cost effective ground system for communication services.
-  IN-SPACe  has  been  encouraging  state  governments,  for setting up of dedicated end-to-end manufacturing clusters for Space system products and components.

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