IN CONVERSATION WITH PAWAN GOENKA

FOUR YEARS AGO, INDIA OPENED UP THE COMMERCIAL SPACE SECTOR TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR.PAWAN GOENKA, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE INDIAN NATIONAL SPACE PROMOTION AND AUTHORIZATION CENTRE, TALKS ABOUT SPACE SECTOR REFORMS AND HOW THEY CAN TAKE INDIA'S SPACE ECONOMY FROM $8 BILLION AT PRESENT TO $44 BILLION BY 2033.

- BY JOE C. MATHEW

THE CENTRAL government established IN-SPACE as a single window agency for space sector activities of private entities about three years ago. What are its key achievements?

IN-SPACE was formally in place in February 2022. We have the responsibility of regulating and promoting private commercial activities in the space sector. The regulator's role is new. There was no such activity before the new Space Policy opened up the sector to enable the participation of the Indian private sector in the entire gamut of space activities. Until then, ISRO was self-regulated. So, our initial task was to streamline the regulation process in a manner consistent with government policy. The process of authorising and supervising space activities of non-government entities, including building of launch vehicles and satellites, is in place. That's running smoothly. We have received 577 applications (as on November 1) from 383 companies. While 176 are for construction of satellites, 110 relate to space applications, including earth observation, navigation and communication. Among the applicants, 168 are start-ups, 69 MSMEs and 92 large industrial houses.

What about the promoter's role in IN-SPACE?