India to approve private space activity plans in 120 days

Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) is aiming at a 75-120 days time frame to clear applications seeking permission to carry out space activities to or from Indian Territory or within the jurisdiction of India including the area to the limit of its exclusive economic zone.

The exact timeline for processing the application, complete in all respects, depends on multiple factors like the requirement of inter-ministerial/departmental consultations, and response from the different entities involved in the authorisation process.

The 'Norms, Guidelines and Procedures (NGP) for implementation of Indian Space Policy 2023 in respect of Authorisation of Space Activities,' published by the Department of Space last week says that given the nature of the authorisation process applicants are advised to submit their applications complete in all respects, preferably six months in advance.

Any space activity including launch, operation, guidance and/or re-entry of any space object shall need authorisation from IN-SPACe. Such activities are broadly classified under space based communication services, operations of space transportation systems, planned re-entry of space objects with or without recovery, establishment and/or operation of the ground systems, dissemination of space-based earth observation/remote sensing data and sale/ purchase/ transfer of space objects in-orbit.

The authorisations can be sought only by Indian entities. Foreign entities can carry out Space activity in India only if they apply through an Indian Entity which could be its Indian subsidiary, joint venture or any other collaboration arrangement recognised by the central government. However, the authorized representative or dealer of foreign entities can seek IN-SPACe authorisation for certain categories like authorisation of non-Indian Geo-Stationary Orbit (GSO) or Non GSO satellite or constellation to enable provisioning of its capacity in India for communication services, dissemination of space-based earth observation,  remote Sensing data, etc.

An official release stated the NGP would complement government endeavour in providing predictable regulatory regime, transparency and ease of doing business in the Indian space sector.

IN-SPACe was constituted in October 2021 to boost private sector participation in the entire range of space activities. It has the mandate to regulate and authorise all space activities undertaken by the government entities and Non-Government Entities (NGEs), along with its role as a promoter, enabler and supervisor for the NGEs engaged in the space activities in the country.