PM Modi inaugurated the headquarters of IN-SPACe at Bopal. He talks about plans for the private sector and the future prospects.
- On June 10, PM Modi inaugurated the headquarters of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) at Bopal, Ahmedabad.
- IN-SPACe aims to support both the government and private sector to be established in the space industry through facilitation and promotion.
- In his speech, PM Modi highlights the importance of reducing restrictions to encourage growth.
On Friday June 10, PM Modi inaugurated the headquarters of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) at Bopal, Ahmedabad. Union Minister Amit Shah, Gujarat CM Bhupendrabhai Patel and representatives of the space industry were also present for the occasion. There was an exchange of MoUs between IN-SPACe and private sector companies working in the field of space-based applications and services.
In June of 2020, the institution of IN-SPACe was announced. It is an autonomous and single window nodal agency in the Department of Space. Its goal is to promote, encourage, and regulate both government and private sector space activities. It also facilitates the use of ISRO facilities by private entities.
“Space-tech is about to become the basis of a major revolution in the 21st century. Space-tech is now going to become a technology not only of distant space but of our personal space”, PM pointed out.
Welcoming the Private Sector
60 noted private companies have entered the country’s space sectors with advanced preparation. ISRO has been a key institution in bringing out this positive change in the space sector of the country. This expertise and determination of ISRO was also commended by the PM. He announced India’s space programme to be the biggest identity of Aatmnirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.
He conveyed a sense of urgency for progress in the areas of Space and Sea. These areas are estimated as the future of humanity and its development, and therefore most influential in the near future. Thus, there is a need for the spotlight at the advancements and reforms taking place in India. He informed about the contribution of Atal Tinkering Labs in schools. And took initiative to create a viewing gallery for 10 thousand people to witness the launch of satellites at Sriharikota.
The data collected by the private space companies is hoped to give them significant power in future. The PM briefed that the global space industry was valued at 400 billion US dollars at present. By 2040, it has an estimated potential to become a 1 trillion dollar industry. He also sees a strong role for India in the fields of space tourism and space diplomacy.
Earlier, the space sector was closed to private companies as their capacity was only judged as that of a vendor. PM Modi explained that the line between regulation and restriction was blurred. Such a system blocked progress for the private sector in the industry. This underwent a change as the government opened it up through reforms. This promotion and enabling of private entities will provide a major stimulus to this sector and new opportunities for the youth. Whether working in the government or in the private sector, IN-SPACe will create great scope for all to showcase their talent.
The government cannot be solely depended on to realise all the plans of the youth in current scenarios. PM Modi assured the private sector of being heard and understood, for which a strong mechanism has been established. He also promised more reforms, freeing the sector from all restrictions. He listed the opening of defence production, modern drone policy, geo-spatial data guidelines, and work from anywhere facility in the telecom/IT sector as examples of the government’s intentions. When the strength of government space institutions and passion of India’s private sector combine, the limits are pushed, bringing promising future prospects. IN-SPACe will support private industry, promote investment and begin the process of making winners.
As a precursor to many developments and opportunities, IN-SPACe has been deemed with the potential to revolutionise the space industry. PM expressed hope that our industry will take the lead in the global space sector, like the IT sector. The government is working on a New Indian Space Policy for coordinating between government companies, space industries, startups and institutions. It is aimed at improving the ease of doing business in the space sector.
“…I would say ‘watch this space’. IN-SPACe is for space, pace and creating ace in space industry,” PM Modi said.
The PM highlighted with pleasure the progress of Gujarat in being developed as a centre of major institutions of national and international level. He listed Bhaskaracharya Institute for Space Applications and geoinformatics-BISAG, WHO Global Centre of Traditional Medicine at Jamnagar, Pandit Deendayal Energy University and National Innovation Foundation, among others. He encouraged youth from all over India, especially from Gujarat, to take full advantage of these institutions and opportunities.
PM Modi inaugurated the IN-SPACe headquarters in Ahmedabad. IN-SPACe is a nodal agency facilitating promotion, encouragement and regulation of space activities of both government and private entities. In his speech, he predicted a growing scope for the private sector in the space industry. He assured that reforms by the government will support the private sector and encourage growth.
