Space for start-ups

A Nasa-like PPP policy could make India an aerospace powerhouse

The successful launch of Vikram-S, India’s first privately built rocket from start-up Skyroot, has focused welcome attention on the opening up of space to private enterprise. Assuming the eagerly awaited Space Policy is on expected lines, multiple aerospace start-ups as well as large companies will enter a sector with explosive growth potential. Alongside a larger share of the global space market, Indian entrepreneurs could develop many downstream applications and spin-offs.

Skyroot, a start-up with a lot of ties with the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro), intends to launch two rockets a month once the technology stabilises. It is also looking to