Roadmap for Answer Writing
1. Introduction
- Start with a brief overview of India’s space sector and its growing global significance.
- Mention relevant data to set the context (e.g., current size of the Indian space economy and future projections).
2. Role of the Space Sector in Shaping a ‘New India’
- Use subheadings for each point:
- Socio-economic Development: Highlight how space technology supports various sectors like agriculture, healthcare, and disaster management.
- Self-reliance in Space Technology: Emphasize private sector participation and indigenous development of space infrastructure.
- Addressing Emerging Challenges: Discuss applications in climate change, resource management, and urban planning.
- Strategic International Partnerships: Explain how India leverages space diplomacy for regional and global collaboration.
3. Initiatives for Indigenisation of the Space Industry
- Use subheadings for policies and initiatives:
- Indian Space Policy 2023
- IN-SPACe
- New Space India Limited (NSIL)
- Liberalized FDI Policy
- National Geospatial Policy 2022
4. Conclusion
- Summarize the importance of the space sector in building a self-reliant and globally competitive India.
- Highlight the roadmap for future growth with government reforms and private-sector collaboration.
Relevant Facts for Answer Writing
- Size and Growth of Indian Space Economy
- Current size: $8.4 billion (2-3% of the global space economy).
- Projected size: $44 billion by 2033 and $100 billion by 2040.
- Private Sector Contributions
- Start-ups have launched satellites, sub-orbital launch vehicles, and set up portable launchpads.
- Government Initiatives
- Indian Space Policy 2023: Promotes private participation.
- IN-SPACe: Single-window facilitation for private entities.
- NSIL: Commercial arm for transferring space technologies to industries.
- FDI Policy: Allows 74% FDI in satellites and 49% in launch vehicles.
- National Geospatial Policy 2022: Encourages private participation in geospatial data development.
- Applications of Space Technology
- Earth Observation Satellites: Aid in agriculture, disaster management, and urban planning.
- Communication Satellites: Enhance telecommunication and healthcare access.
- Remote Sensing: Provides critical data for resource management and climate change mitigation.
Model Answer
1. Socio-economic Development
The space sector acts as a driver of economic growth by fostering ancillary industries and employment. Space-based services, such as earth observation, communication satellites, and navigation systems, are crucial for modern sectors like telecommunications, agriculture, and healthcare. These technologies enhance productivity and resource management, ensuring broader socio-economic progress.
2. Self-reliance in Space Technology
Opening the space sector to private players allows them to capitalize on global and domestic markets, fostering innovation in upstream and downstream activities. This contributes to Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) by reducing dependence on foreign technology and strengthening indigenous capabilities.
3. Addressing Emerging Challenges
Space technologies, such as remote sensing and earth observation satellites, are vital for tackling challenges like climate change, natural disasters, urban planning, and resource management. These applications provide data-driven solutions, enhancing national resilience.
4. Strategic International Partnerships
India’s space diplomacy fosters regional development and security. Collaborations with international space agencies enable technology transfer, joint exploration missions, and enhanced knowledge sharing, solidifying India’s global standing.
Steps for Indigenisation of the Space Sector
1. Indian Space Policy 2023
This dynamic framework enhances private participation to unlock India’s space sector potential, accelerating growth and innovation.
2. IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre)
As an autonomous nodal agency, IN-SPACe promotes private-sector participation and streamlines operations, creating a vibrant ecosystem for space start-ups.
3. New Space India Limited (NSIL)
NSIL, the commercial arm of ISRO, facilitates the transfer of space technologies to Indian industries, boosting commercialization and innovation.
4. Liberalized FDI Policy
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) allowances of 74% for satellites and 49% for launch vehicles encourage private and international investments.
5. National Geospatial Policy 2022
This framework democratizes geospatial data, enabling the growth of a robust geospatial industry in India, driven by private-sector contributions.
Conclusion
With reforms and private-sector participation, India’s space economy is poised to grow from $8.4 billion to $44 billion by 2033, with an ambitious goal of $100 billion by 2040. Innovations like private satellite launches and mission control centers exemplify this transformation, setting a solid foundation for a self-reliant and globally competitive space sector.