Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe)

The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) is an autonomous nodal agency under the Department of Space (DoS), Government of India, established to promote, regulate, and authorise the participation of private entities in India’s space sector. Formed as part of the Government’s broader effort to liberalise and commercialise space activities, IN-SPACe acts as a bridge between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and non-governmental private entities (NGPEs), ensuring equitable access to India’s space infrastructure, data, and expertise.

Establishment and Background

IN-SPACe was officially announced in June 2020 by the Government of India, as part of major reforms aimed at opening up the Indian space sector to private participation. It was created following a policy decision to restructure the Department of Space to distinguish between its research and operational roles.
While ISRO continues to focus on space research, technology development, and national missions, IN-SPACe was established to handle the promotion, authorisation, and supervision of private space activities. The agency became operational in 2022, headquartered in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
The creation of IN-SPACe marked a shift from a state-dominated model of space activity to a public–private partnership framework, aiming to make India’s space economy more vibrant and competitive.

Objectives and Mandate

IN-SPACe serves as a single-window agency for regulating and facilitating private sector participation in space activities. Its core objectives include:

• Promotion: Encouraging private companies, startups, and academic institutions to engage in satellite manufacturing, launch services, and space applications.
• Authorisation: Granting approvals for space activities such as satellite launches, ground station establishment, remote sensing operations, and use of space-based communication services.
• Supervision: Ensuring that all private space activities adhere to India’s national security, safety, and international obligations under treaties such as the Outer Space Treaty (1967) and the Liability Convention (1972).
• Facilitation: Providing access to ISRO’s infrastructure, such as launch pads, testing facilities, and data networks, on a non-discriminatory basis.
• Policy Support: Advising the Government on space policy frameworks and mechanisms for commercialisation.

Organisational Structure

IN-SPACe operates as an autonomous body under the Department of Space and functions independently of ISRO. Its structure includes:

• Chairperson: Appointed by the Government of India, responsible for policy direction and overall functioning.
• Directorates: Divided into three functional wings:
  1. Promotion Directorate – Facilitates private sector initiatives and capacity-building programmes.
  2. Technical Directorate – Evaluates technical feasibility and ensures safety and mission assurance.
  3. Legal and Authorisation Directorate – Handles regulatory compliance, authorisations, and coordination with national and international legal frameworks.

IN-SPACe also interacts closely with other space-sector bodies, including NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) — the commercial arm of ISRO — and Antrix Corporation, to create a coherent ecosystem for private space ventures.

Key Functions

IN-SPACe’s principal functions span across multiple domains of the space sector:

• Authorisation of Space Activities:
  • Satellite development and deployment by private firms.
  • Launch vehicle design, testing, and operation.
  • Establishment of ground stations and communication networks.
  • Remote sensing, navigation, and Earth observation services.
• Access to ISRO Facilities: Private companies are permitted to use ISRO’s infrastructure — including launch vehicles (like PSLV and GSLV), integration and testing facilities, and tracking networks — on a commercial and non-discriminatory basis.
• Capacity Building: Facilitates collaboration between ISRO scientists and private firms or universities to promote innovation, technology transfer, and indigenous manufacturing capabilities.
• Regulatory Oversight: Ensures private operations adhere to national and international norms on space safety, debris mitigation, and peaceful use of outer space.
• Data and Technology Promotion: Encourages use of ISRO’s satellite data for applications in agriculture, climate monitoring, disaster management, and urban planning by private enterprises and academia.

Importance in India’s Space Ecosystem

Before IN-SPACe, ISRO was solely responsible for both operational and regulatory roles, limiting private involvement to subcontracting or supply chains. IN-SPACe transforms this model by enabling independent participation in all aspects of space activity.
Key contributions to India’s space ecosystem include:

• Encouraging Startups: Provides institutional and technical support to space startups and small enterprises, many of which are developing satellite systems, launch vehicles, and AI-based space applications.
• Boosting Commercial Space Economy: Facilitates private entry into satellite broadband, Earth observation, and small satellite launch markets.
• Enabling Innovation: Opens avenues for research partnerships between private firms, universities, and ISRO laboratories.
• Supporting Policy Implementation: Plays a central role in the rollout of India’s Space Policy 2023, which formally allows private entities to undertake end-to-end space missions.

Collaboration with ISRO and NSIL

While IN-SPACe regulates and promotes, ISRO focuses on technology development and NSIL handles commercialisation. The coordination among these three entities ensures an integrated approach to India’s space advancement:

• ISRO develops advanced technologies and provides technical know-how.
• IN-SPACe authorises and supervises private sector activities using these technologies.
• NSIL markets and commercialises ISRO’s products, services, and technology transfers.

This tripartite structure represents the new institutional model driving India’s space sector.

Achievements and Developments

Since becoming operational, IN-SPACe has made significant strides:

• Authorised India’s first private rocket launch, Vikram-S, developed by Skyroot Aerospace in November 2022.
• Approved multiple private satellite and launch vehicle projects.
• Signed memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with numerous private firms, research institutions, and global partners.
• Facilitated access to ISRO test and launch facilities for commercial ventures.
• Initiated policy mechanisms to ensure safe and sustainable space operations.

It has also supported initiatives in space debris management, satellite-based internet services, and capacity-building programmes for academic institutions.

Role in India’s Space Policy 2023

The Indian Space Policy 2023, unveiled by the Government of India, positions IN-SPACe as the key regulator and authorising body for all non-governmental space activities. Under this policy:

• IN-SPACe grants authorisations for space missions, satellite operations, and launch services.
• It ensures compliance with national security guidelines and international treaties.
• The policy encourages private companies to conduct end-to-end space operations, from design to data utilisation, with IN-SPACe providing oversight.

Future Prospects

IN-SPACe is expected to play a central role in transforming India’s space sector into a globally competitive market. Future priorities include:

• Creating a transparent licensing framework for private launches and satellite services.
• Encouraging foreign investment and international partnerships.
• Supporting the growth of a space startup ecosystem through incubation and funding assistance.
• Developing standards and certification systems for space hardware and software.
• Promoting sustainable practices for space traffic management and orbital debris control.

Significance

IN-SPACe symbolises India’s transition from a government-driven to a multi-stakeholder space economy. By separating regulation from operations, it enhances transparency, efficiency, and innovation in space activities.