Context
Plans were reviewed to establish space laboratories in universities, with seven labs in the first phase to strengthen India’s space ecosystem.
Expansion and Reforms in Space Ecosystem
- The initiative aims to provide hands-on training to students in areas like satellite systems, rocketry, and mission design, creating a skilled workforce pipeline for the growing space sector.
- India’s space sector has witnessed rapid growth after reforms, attracting over USD 600 million in private investment in the last five years and encouraging greater private sector participation.
- The number of space startups has expanded significantly, rising from single digits in 2019 to over 400 by 2026, operating across launch systems, satellite manufacturing, data services, and emerging space technologies.
- To support this growth, the government is operationalising a ₹1,000 crore venture capital fund with Small Industries Development Bank of India, along with a ₹500 crore Technology Adoption Fund and seed funding support up to ₹1 crore for early-stage startups.
- Capacity-building efforts include specialised training programmes, with around 900 individuals trained in fields such as satellite production, launch systems, and space cybersecurity.
- Infrastructure support is being expanded through initiatives like shared satellite platforms, public-private Earth observation projects, and access to testing facilities at the IN-SPACe Technical Centre, along with technology transfer programmes such as SSLV.
- With growing global collaborations across 45+ countries and increasing authorisations by Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center, these reforms are strengthening India’s position as a competitive and innovation-driven space power.
