Creating space for private spacetech

Space has always been the final frontier. Related developments in India and China indicate that the next tussle for power in space is well underway. 

China launched the last satellite of its BeiDou Satellite Network. With 35 satellites, BeiDou is a $10-billion project that will allow China to end its reliance on US-based GPS. Global Navigational Satellite Systems (GNSS) have been dominated by the US (which uses the globally popular GPS), Russia (GLONASS), EU (Galileo) and Japan (QZSS). 

Each country that wants to be a power to reckon with must develop strengths in space and technology. The control over space is a crucial enabler of most other technologies. While GNSS by itself can map the world, the uses are myriad. From defence-oriented activities to everyday civil and business needs. 

China has already achieved dominance in robotics and artificial intelligence. With its own satellite network, it can be totally independent of global systems. 

In a development which will trigger the rise of a new industry, the government has allowed domestic private sector to collaborate with government bodies like Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro). The recent opening of the space sector for private companies is a significant development that will excite legacy companies and start-ups alike. 

India has been trying to make up for lost time. The Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) also called NAVIC (NAVIgation with Indian Constellation).

The Isro says NAVIC will be used for many purposes including terrestrial, aerial and marine navigation; disaster management; vehicle tracking and fleet management; integration with mobile phones; precise timing; mapping and geodetic data capture; terrestrial navigation aid for hikers and travellers; and visual and voice navigation for drivers. Companies like Qualcomm have developed chipsets which are compatible with NAVIC and can be embedded in mobile phones.

“The newly created Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) will provide a level-playing field for private companies to use Indian space infrastructure. It will also hand-hold, promote and guide the private industries in space activities through encouraging policies and a friendly regulatory environment,” says an official statement from the government. 

A government-owned body New Space India Limited will catalyse the collaboration by seeking the needs of the private sector. 

Isro can focus on research and development which requires long-term, committed funding which private sector does not have while the private players can innovate to create new applications and business models using spacetech. Currently, there are about 300 private companies which work with Isro as suppliers and vendors. Some of them can build on their experience for new products and services. 

At least two start-ups based in Bengaluru have declared their plans for launching private satellites. Pixxel aims to launch 24 satellites for earth-imaging solutions. Another start-up called Astrome will launch 198 low-earth orbit satellites aimed largely for space-oriented communications. Both are supported by private funds and government bodies. 

Global venture capital has identified spacetech as a super growth sector. India, China and Japan will play a significant role to drive the transformation in Asia. 
 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that "strategic sectors like space and atomic energy are open for India's entrepreneurs". As in many other sectors, bringing in private sector is easier said than done. Government systems are still stacked against agile private start-ups. Mentoring and support from mature bodies like Isro and new ones like InSpace will be critical for the success of Indian private sector. The rise of China in the space and other emerging tech should inspire India to fast track its own ambitions. There is no space for red tape here.