India on Wednesday gave the final nod for private sector participation in the Space sector, which the government claims to make the country self-reliant and technologically advanced. The cabinet gave the approval in its meeting on Wednesday.
With space sector playing a major role in the technological advancement and expansion of the country’s Industrial base, the privatisation of space sector is said to enhance the socio-economic use of space assets and activities, including through improved access to space assets, data and facilities. The newly formed Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) will provide a level playing field for private companies to use Indian space infrastructure, an official released said.
The Centre will also promote and guide the private industries in space activities through encouraging policies. The Public Sector Enterprise New Space India Limited (NSIL)’ will endeavour to re-orient space activities from a supply driven’ model to a demand driven’ model, thereby ensuring optimum utilization of our space assets, the release said. As per the decision, the ISRO will focus more on research and development activities, novel technologies, exploration missions and human spaceflight programme.
The official statement also said that some of the planetary exploration missions will be opened up to private sector through an announcement of opportunity mechanism.
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