The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) and the Government of Karnataka have signed agreements to accelerate the state’s rise as India’s foremost commercial space launchpad. The agreements signed include one for establishing a Centre of Excellence for Space Technologies in Bengaluru and the other for setting up of a public-private space manufacturing park that will anchor next-generation satellite and launch-vehicle production.

These agreements will establish the framework for Government of Karnataka and IN-SPACe to collaborate and partner for the setting up of the Centre of Excellence for Space Technologies and the Space Manufacturing Park.

Karnataka has a mature ecosystem across the space sector value chain comprising government, private and MSME (micro, small and medium enterprises) players, including ISRO headquarters, space-related public sector undertakings such as DRDO labs and facilities, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL), Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL), NAL, and academic and research institutions. The agreements are expected to enable and support the state’s space ecosystem towards the national vision as per the Indian Space Policy, 2023 and promote innovation in the sector.

IN-SPACe, on the other hand, has been spearheading India’s space ambitions by enabling ease of doing business with the active participation of government as well as non-governmental entities. As the global space ambitions soar high, IN-SPACe is acting as a nodal agency to shape India’s growing space economy.

"Karnataka has emerged as a hub for new-age space start-ups and enterprises. The MoUs will bolster this ecosystem and support the state and country’s efforts in succeeding in the NewSpace era. We look forward to working shoulder-to-shoulder with the state to see more satellites, engines and deep-space technologies developed and manufactured in the state," said Pawan Goenka, Chairman, IN-SPACe.

As the global space sector moves from agency-driven programmes to agile public-private partnerships, today’s signing cements Karnataka’s role as India’s launchpad for breakthrough NewSpace technologies propelled by government vision, private ingenuity and an unrivalled talent pool, said IN-SPACe.

IN-SPACe was constituted in June 2020 following the central government’s decision to open up the space sector and enable the participation of Indian private sector in the gamut of space activities. The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe), acts as a single-window, independent, nodal agency which functions as an autonomous agency in Department of Space (DOS). IN-SPACe is responsible for the promotion, enabling, authorisation, and supervision of various space activities of the non-governmental entities (NGEs) that include, among others, the building of launch vehicles and satellites and providing space-based services; sharing of space infrastructure and premises under ISRO; and establishment of new space infrastructure and facilities.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Global Conference on Space Exploration via video conferencing today. "India’s space journey is not about racing others. It is about reaching higher together. Together, we share a common goal to explore space for the good of humanity... Our first human space-flight mission, ‘Gaganyaan’, highlights our nation’s rising aspirations. In the coming weeks, an Indian astronaut will travel to space as part of a joint ISRO-NASA Mission to the International Space Station. By 2035, the Bharatiya Antariksha Station will open new frontiers in research and global cooperation. By 2040, an Indian’s footprints will be on the Moon. Mars and Venus are also on our radar," said Modi.

"We have opened our space sector to startups, entrepreneurs, and young minds. Today, India has over 250 space start-ups. They are contributing to cutting-edge advancements in satellite technology, Propulsion systems, imaging, and much more. And, you know, it is even more inspiring that many of our missions are being led by women scientists," he added.