Space
IN-SPACe Prime Minister modi at the inauguration of the headquarters of Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) at Bopal, Ahmedabad
‘Watch This Space’ On June 10, 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated headquarters of IN-SPACe at Bopal, Ahmedabad. The new Indian space policy to come out soon.
Photograph: PIB
By Ayushee Chaudhary Prime Minister, Narendra Modi inaugurated the headquarters of the IN-SPACe at Bopal, Ahmedabad on June 10, 2022. The programme also witnessed the exchange of Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) between Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) and private sector companies working in the field of space-based applications and services. About 10 MoUs were signed with different space start-ups. The inauguration of IN-SPACe’s headquarters ensures the promotion and enabling of private entities in the space sector that will open up new vistas of opportunity for India’s talented youth. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Chief Minister of Gujarat Bhupendrabhai Patel, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman Dr S. Somanath, former ISRO Chairman Dr K. Sivan and representatives of the space industry were among those present on the occasion. IN-SPACe is an independent nodal agency under Department of Space (DOS) for allowing space activities and usage of DOS
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owned facilities by Non-Government Private Entities (NGPEs) as well as to prioritise the launch manifest. The establishment of this autonomous nodal agency as a separate vertical for permitting and regulating the activities of private industry in space sector was announced in 2020 along with the private reforms. “INSPACe will have its own independent Directorates for Technical, Legal, Safety & Security, Monitoring as well as Activities Promotion for assessing the private industry requirements and further coordinating the activities,” the then ISRO Chairman Dr K. Sivan had informed. About two years ago, on June 24, 2020, the Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister (PM) had approved far reaching reforms in the Space sector aimed at boosting private sector participation in the entire range of space activities. Space for nation development Addressing the gathering during the inauguration, the Prime Minister said that a wonderful chapter has been added in the devel-
ISSUE 6 • 2022
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