IN-SPACe to invite bids for private role in Earth observation constellation, satellite-as-a-service model

The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) will invite final bids for private participation in establishing an Earth observation constellation under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model next week, Pawan Kumar Goenka, Chairman of IN-SPACe, has said.

Addressing the ongoing India Space Congress (ISC 2025) in Delhi, Goenka said that the single-window, independent nodal agency—an autonomous body under the Department of Space (DoS)—will also float bids for another major initiative aimed at enabling Indian private space players to establish satellite-as-a-service (SataaS) business models. These models will provide on-demand access to data, services, and applications without owning the satellite. The SataaS bid is also expected to be floated towards the end of next week.

Goenka noted that these two initiatives follow the successful completion of a significant earlier step taken by IN-SPACe—inviting non-government entities to receive technology from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to build the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV). Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) was announced as the successful bidder last week.

“India has very bold growth plans for the space sector, and there is no way to fulfil that ambition without true partnerships—partnerships in technology, markets, investment, and overall collaboration. The SSLV transfer announced recently was a major first step in that direction. Next week, we have two more key initiatives: bids will be invited for private participation in building an Earth Observation Constellation and for offering Satellite-as-a-Service (SataaS), enabling the private sector to enter the space sector with government support,” he said.

Goenka described India’s plan to develop a $44 billion space economy by 2033 as an aspiration that is well within reach. “Of the total, $14 billion will come from satellite communication. Over the last year, many regulatory uncertainties in this sector have been resolved. We already have three licences for LEO satellite constellations for communications. With all of these efforts, India’s digital divide will be addressed,” he added.

He also emphasised that IN-SPACe has been created to address all the concerns of the private space industry. Referring to a recent stakeholder dialogue, he said the industry had asked IN-SPACe to create and provide access to infrastructure, generate demand, attract investments, act as a point of contact, and help build business opportunities for the private space sector. “In short, they want IN-SPACe to provide technology, infrastructure, demand, funding, and remove bottlenecks. That is precisely what IN-SPACe is designed to do. We have been successful in some areas, are making progress in others, and remain fully committed to delivering on everything the industry has asked for,” he said.

The current edition of the India Space Congress is centred on the theme, “Pioneering Innovations in Space Technology: India’s Journey Towards Global Partnership.” Over 800 delegates from more than 40 countries are participating in the three-day event, which concludes on June 27.