Pushpak

In News

ISRO achieved a major milestone in the area of Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) Technology after the successful launch of  “Pushpak”.

Pushpak was named after the mythological spaceship from the ancient Indian epic, Ramayana.

About

The Pushpak was lifted by an Indian Air Force Chinook helicopter and was released from 4.5 km altitude.

After the release, it autonomously approached the runway along with cross-range corrections.

The Pushpak is shielded with heat-resistant materials to protect the spacecraft during atmospheric re-entry.

Reusable Launch Vehicle – Technology Demonstrator (RLV-TD)

RLV-TD is one of the most technologically challenging endeavours of ISRO towards developing essential technologies for a fully reusable launch vehicle to enable low-cost access to space.

The Project lays the groundwork for future missions, like establishing the Bhartiya Antriksh Station by 2035.

Significance

Nearly 80 percent of the cost in a space launch vehicle goes into the structure of the vehicle and by using reusable launch vehicles this cost can come significantly down.

This can also reduce the manufacturing time for building a new vehicle for every launch, thus enabling more frequent launches.

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Private Industry in Space Sector

Context

The Chennai-based space start-up will launch its first rocket Agnibaan Sub Orbital Technology Demonstrator from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.

India’s share in Space Industry

India constitutes 2-3% of the global space economy and is expected to enhance its share to more than 10% by 2030.

With over 400 private space companies, India ranks fifth globally in no. of space companies.

Private players in space industry

Indian start-ups are taking active interest in the space market, from just 1 start-up in the space sector in 2012 to 189 start-ups in 2023.

The funding received by these start-ups reached a total of $124.7 Mn in 2023 from $67.2 Mn in 2021.

The Skyroot, have launched India’s first privately built rocket, Vikram-S, into space, with plans to revolutionize satellite launches.

Regulation of the Private sector in the Space industry in India

National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe): It is an autonomous and single window nodal agency in the Department of Space for the promotion, encouragement and regulation of space activities of both government and private entities.

NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL): It is mandated to transfer the matured technologies developed by the ISRO to Indian industries.

All of them are under the purview of the Ministry of Defence.

Steps taken by Government

SpaceTech Innovation Network (SpIN): SpIN is a one-of-its-kind public-private collaboration for start-ups and SMEs in the space industry.

The Indian Space Policy 2023 was notified to implement the vision for unlocking India’s potential in the Space sector through enhanced private participation.

Various schemes to encourage the private sector have been implemented by IN-SPACe, i.e., Seed Fund Scheme, Pricing Support Policy, Mentorship support, Design Lab for NGEs, Skill Development in Space Sector, ISRO facility utilization support, Technology Transfer to Non-Governmental Entities (NGEs).

FDI in space sector

Under the amended FDI policy, 100% FDI is allowed in the space sector. The entry route for the various activities are as follows:

Up to 74% under Automatic route: Satellites-Manufacturing & Operation, Satellite Data Products and Ground Segment & User Segment.

Up to 49% under Automatic route: Launch Vehicles and associated systems or subsystems, Creation of Spaceports for launching and receiving Spacecraft.

Up to 100% under Automatic route: Manufacturing of components and systems/ sub-systems for satellites, ground segment and user segment.

Significance of privatization of space sector

Private companies operate with a profit motive, which drives them to reduced costs in space missions and satellite launches.

Privatization introduces competition into the space industry, which can drive efficiency and innovation.

Private players facilitate the commercialization of space applications and services for agriculture, disaster management, urban planning, navigation, and communication, among other sectors.

private companies have a greater degree of autonomy in making decisions, which enables them to take up new projects.

It helps to generate employment, enable modern technology absorption and make the sector self-reliant.

Challenges

Space technology is expensive and needs heavy investment.  This kind of lucrative power is available only with selected rich corporates, thus can lead to monopolization of the sector.

Building and operating space technology and infrastructure require specialized technical expertise and resources.

Protecting intellectual property rights (IPR) is crucial for incentivizing innovation and investment in the space sector.

Indian private companies in the space sector have to face stiff competition from the established players such as SpaceX, Blue Origin etc in the international market.

Way Ahead

Private entities are now actively involved in crucial aspects of research, manufacturing, and fabrication of rockets and satellites, fostering a vibrant ecosystem of innovation.  It is expected to integrate Indian companies into global value chains.

With this, companies will be able to set up their manufacturing facilities within the country duly encouraging ‘Make In India (MII)’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives of the Government.

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