The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) has announced a new initiative aimed at enhancing India’s space economy through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
The initiative seeks to establish a comprehensive space-based Earth Observation (EO) system, encompassing both space and ground segments.
This ambitious project is intended to reduce reliance on foreign satellite data and bolster India’s position in the global geospatial market.
Project Overview
The project, outlined in the recently released Expression of Interest (EoI) document, aims to facilitate the design, construction, operation, and ownership of a complete EO system.
This includes the development of satellites (Space Segment) and associated ground infrastructure (Ground Segment), such as spacecraft control centers and data dissemination facilities.
By involving Non-Governmental Entities (NGEs) in the management of the EO system, IN-SPACe hopes to promote innovation and create new revenue streams in the space sector.
Currently, Earth Observation data in India is predominantly sourced from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and various foreign satellites.
This data supports a range of applications including infrastructure development, disaster management, environmental monitoring, and more.
The EO data is also used in consumer and business services such as location-based services, tourism, finance, and insurance.
By establishing a domestic EO system, the project aims to enhance India’s capability to generate and leverage space data independently.
Scope of Work
The selected entity, whether an individual company or a consortium, will be tasked with the design, construction, operation, and ownership of the Earth Observation system.
Responsibilities include:
- Designing and building the entire EO system, encompassing both space and ground segments.
- Establishing a spacecraft control center (SCC) within India or outsourcing ground station services from Ground Segment as a Service (GSaaS) providers.
- Implementing a sustainable business model to ensure ongoing manufacturing, upgrades, and launches in response to market demands.
Eligibility Criteria
To participate in this initiative, entities must meet certain criteria:
- Management and Control: The participating entity, or the lead member of a consortium, must be under Indian management and control, as defined by the Norms, Guidelines, and Procedures for Implementation of the Indian Space Policy-2023.
- Technical Expertise: The entity should have experience in space sector manufacturing or satellite data operations within India. This could include a background in designing and building space systems or operating satellite data services.
- Financial Requirements: Financial criteria include raising or investing at least INR 85 crore in space-related activities (or INR 42.5 crore for start-ups), having a valuation of INR 850 crore, or a three-year average turnover of INR 200 crore.
Expression of Interest and Application Process
IN-SPACe has issued an Expression of Interest (EoI) document detailing the project’s objectives, scope, and eligibility criteria. Entities interested in participating must remit a non-refundable application fee of ₹25,000.
Payment can be made through the Bharatkosh portal or via a Demand Draft payable to “IN-SPACe” at Ahmedabad. The EoI document will be sent electronically upon receipt of the payment.
Key Dates
- EoI Release Date: 25th July 2024
- Query Submission Deadline: 1st August 2024
- Pre-EOI Conference: 8th August 2024
- Response Submission Deadline: 10th September 2024
The pre-EOI conference will be held in Bengaluru, and only entities that have paid the application fee will be eligible to attend.
The EoI document must be kept confidential and should not be shared with unauthorized parties.
At present, startups such as GalaxEye and Pixxel operate in the domain and offer multi-sensor imaging and hyperspectral imaging satellites respectively.
This development is part of the broader push by the Centre to support the spacetech sector.
Recently, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced an INR 1,000 Cr venture capital fund for homegrown spacetech startups in her Budget speech.
