space industry of India

India's interest in space travel began in the early 1960s, when scientists launched a Nike-Apache rocket from TERLS, Kerala.{{cite news| title = The dawn of a new space race?| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4208176.stm | work=BBC News | date=2005-10-14 | access-date=2010-01-01}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.thebetterindia.com/74283/first-rocket-india-thumba-vikram-sarabhai-abdul-kalam/|title=Transported on a Bicycle, Launched from a Church: The Amazing Story of India's First Rocket Launch|date=2016-11-08|work=The Better India|access-date=2017-07-04|language=en-US}} The Indian National Committee for Space Research was subsequently set up, which later became the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO){{cite web|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/science/isros-golden-jubilee-50-years-of-space-explorations/sky-is-no-limit/slideshow/70698063.cms|title=Isro's golden jubilee: 50 years of space explorations|access-date=19 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190817192441/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/science/isros-golden-jubilee-50-years-of-space-explorations/sky-is-no-limit/slideshow/70698063.cms|archive-date=17 August 2019|url-status=live}} functioning under a new independent Department of Space (DoS) in the 1970s under the Prime Minister of India.{{Cite web |url=https://www.isro.gov.in/about-isro/department-of-space-and-isro-hq |title=Department of Space and ISRO HQ - ISRO |access-date=19 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328053630/https://www.isro.gov.in/about-isro/department-of-space-and-isro-hq |archive-date=28 March 2019 |url-status=live }}{{sfn|Sadeh|2013|pp=303}}

ISRO joined the Interkosmos program to launch its first satellite, Aryabhata, from the former Soviet Union in 1975.{{cite web|url=https://www.isro.gov.in/Spacecraft/aryabhata-1|title=Aryabhata – ISRO|website=www.isro.gov.in|access-date=19 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815200808/https://www.isro.gov.in/Spacecraft/aryabhata-1|archive-date=15 August 2018|url-status=live}}

SLV-3, a locally developed space rocket, was introduced in 1979, enabling India to undertake orbital launches.{{cite web|url=https://www.isro.gov.in/sites/default/files/flipping_book/58-SI-Jul-Sep-05/files/assets/common/downloads/publication.pdf|title=First Successful Launch of SLV-3 - Silver Jubilee|publisher=ISRO|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220523115130/https://www.isro.gov.in/sites/default/files/flipping_book/58-SI-Jul-Sep-05/files/assets/common/downloads/publication.pdf|archive-date=23 May 2022}} Experience gained from SLV-3 was used to develop an Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle to develop technologies for launching satellites in geostationary orbit, but this ended up having very limited success and was eventually discontinued.{{cite news|last=Menon|first=Amarnath|title=Setback in the sky|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/failure-of-aslv-mission-comes-a-major-blow-to-india-ambitious-space-programme/1/336942.html|access-date=19 February 2021|newspaper=India Today|date=15 April 1987}} However, the study of a homegrown medium-lift launch vehicle went on, which lead to the realisation of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).{{cite news|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IbbMj56ht8sC&pg=PA215|title=Indian ambitions in space go sky-high|date=22 January 1981|publisher=New Scientist|page=215}}

Antrix Corporation was set up in 1992 to market ISRO's technology, launch services and transfer technology to Indian private firms, dawning the commercial space sector in India.{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Antrix-responsible-for-marketing-ISRO-tech/articleshow/7457366.cms|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130426170804/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-02-09/india/28547101_1_isro-eads-astrium-antrix-corporation|url-status=live|archive-date=26 April 2013|work=The Times of India|title=Antrix responsible for marketing ISRO tech|access-date=21 February 2021}} The PSLV rocket, introduced in 1993, enabled India to launch its polar satellites. Despite initial failures in its first two flights, PSLV had no further failures and emerged as ISRO's primary workhorse for launching domestic and foreign satellites.{{cite web|title=India (Launchers)|url=http://claudelafleur.qc.ca/Indians-launchers.html|publisher=Spacecraft Encyclopedia|access-date=12 November 2014}}{{cite web|title=PSLV|url=http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau/pslv.htm|website=Gunter's Space Page|access-date=12 November 2014}} The development of GSLV and GSLV Mk III subsequently began in the 1990s and 2000s to attain the capability to launch communication satellites. However, the launchers didn't become operational until decades later, as India initially faced a great problem in the development of cryogenic engines.{{cite journal|title=GSLV Launched Successfully| journal=Current Science|date=May 2001| volume=80| issue=10| page=1256| url=http://www.iisc.ernet.in/currsci/may252001/1254.pdf| access-date=12 December 2013}}{{cite news| last=Subramanian| first=T S| title=The GSLV Quest| url=http://www.frontline.in/navigation/?type=static&page=flonnet&rdurl=fl1806/18060820.htm |access-date=21 February 2021| newspaper=Frontline| date=March 17–31, 2001}}{{Cite web|url = http://www.sawfnews.com/Health/70695.aspx|title = India's GSLV Mk-3 First Flight Pushed Back to April 2014|date = 4 April 2013|access-date = 21 February 2021|website = Sawfnews|url-status = usurped|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130410172341/http://www.sawfnews.com/Health/70695.aspx|archive-date = 10 April 2013}} Later, NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) replaced Antrix as the commercial arm of ISRO.{{cite news|title=New Company for Commercial Exploitation of Research and Development (Under The Company Act 2013) |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1576000|newspaper=Press Information Bureau|access-date=3 March 2021|date=27 June 2019}}

{{Main|Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre|Space Activities Bill}}

The Indian space program emerged as an economic sector with government-backed investments with official institutions in the military and civilian administrations over decades of engineering. Over four decades, ISRO continued transferring technologies to small and medium enterprises (SMEs), leading to there being over 500 suppliers of various components in 2017.{{sfn|Rajagopalan|Prasad|2017|pp=1-2}}

India's IT industry started engaging in this sector in the 1990s. The Department of Space actively promoted the growth of the sector, leading to the establishment of the manufacturing of various systems. Large mapping projects for various civilian and military requirements were outsourced by the government, which drove the growth of India's private space sector. However, the private sector still played a supporting role, while the government continued to dominate the space sector.{{sfn|Rajagopalan|Prasad|2017|pp=54}}

In the late 2010s, a large number of startups started to emerge throughout the country with their own proposals and concepts to develop various satellite technologies and rockets.{{Cite news|last=Singh|first=Abhinav|date=2017-07-02|title=Space no bar|url=https://www.theweek.in/theweek/business/indias-young-space-entrepreneurs.html|newspaper=The Week|access-date=2021-03-04}}{{Cite news|last1=Ravikumar|first1=Sachin|last2=Shakil|first2=Ismail|date=2019-06-23|title=India's space startups ignite investor interest|url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/india-s-space-startups-ignite-investor-interest-1561269988291.html|newspaper=LiveMint|via=Reuters|access-date=2021-03-04}}{{Cite news|last=Arakali|first=Harichandan|date=2019-09-09|title=Space-tech startups in India are gaining ground|url=https://www.forbesindia.com/article/startups/spacetech-startups-in-india-are-gaining-ground/55181/1|newspaper=Forbes India|access-date=2021-03-04}}

A range of initiatives to deregulate the private space sector were introduced by Narendra Modi's cabinet in June 2020, and the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (INSPACe) was established for incubating technology into private firms, known as Non-Government Private Entities (NGPEs) by DOS.{{Cite news|date=2020-06-26|title=India opens space sector to private players: What it means for ISRO|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/science/india-opens-space-sector-to-private-players-what-it-means-for-isro/2005105/|newspaper=Financial Express|access-date=2021-03-04}}a) {{Cite web|title='UNLOCKING INDIA'S POTENTIAL IN SPACE SECTOR'|url=https://www.isro.gov.in/unlocking-india%E2%80%99s-potential-space-sector}};

b) {{Cite web|title=Emerging trend in Space Sector|url=https://www.isro.gov.in/unlocking-india%E2%80%99s-potential-space-sector/emerging-trend-space-sector}};

c) {{Cite web|title=Opening Up Indian Space Sector For Private Sector –Reforms|url=https://www.isro.gov.in/unlocking-india%E2%80%99s-potential-space-sector/opening-indian-space-sector-private-sector-%E2%80%93reforms}};

d) {{Cite web|title=Space Activities By NGPEs|url=https://www.isro.gov.in/unlocking-india%E2%80%99s-potential-space-sector/space-activities-ngpes}};

e) {{Cite web|title=Enabling Mechanism For NGPEs To Carry Out Space Activities|url=https://www.isro.gov.in/unlocking-india%E2%80%99s-potential-space-sector/enabling-mechanism-ngpes-to-carry-out-space-activities}};

Indian Space Research Organisation - Government of India. Retrieved on 4 March 2021. NGPEs were included as a crucial part of ISRO's Space Communication Policy draft issued in October 2020.{{Cite report|date=2020-10-15|title=No.C.19013/48/2012-Sec.3 (Vol.III) Spacecom Policy - 2020 and Spacecom NGP-2020|url=https://www.isro.gov.in/sites/default/files/draft_spacecom_policy_2020.pdf|publisher=Department of Space |page= |docket= |access-date=2021-03-04|quote=}} As of 2021, a new Space Activities Bill and a space policy are being drafted by NALSAR Centre for Aerospace and Defence laws to regulate space manufacturing and the legal aspects of the industry in India.{{Cite news|date=2020-07-05|title=Space policy, Space Activities Bill in final stages: ISRO chairman|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/science/space-policy-space-activities-bill-in-final-stages-isro-chairman/articleshow/76800775.cms|newspaper=The Economic Times|access-date=2021-03-04}}{{Cite interview |last=Reddy|first=V Balakista |subject-link= |interviewer=Preeti Biswas|title=‘Space Activities Bill reflects years of research … it will bring clarity and synergy to both Indian and foreign companies' |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/the-interviews-blog/space-activities-bill-reflects-years-of-research-it-will-bring-clarity-and-synergy-to-both-indian-and-foreign-companies/ |publisher= |location= |date=2020-09-30|work=The Times of India |access-date=2021-03-04}}

An amendment was made in the FDI policy for space sector through a gazette notification dated April 16, 2024, called the Foreign Exchange Management (Non-debt Instruments) (Third Amendment) Rules, 2024. The liberalized entry routes under the amended policy are aimed at attracting potential investors in the Indian companies in space. As per them, up to 74 per cent FDI for satellite manufacturing & operation, satellite data products and ground segment & user segment are allowed under automatic route. Beyond 74 per cent these activities are under government route. FDI up to 49 per cent is allowed for launch vehicles and associated systems or subsystems, creation of spaceports for launching and receiving spacecraft are under automatic route but beyond 49 per cent government permission would be required. The cabinet on February 21 had allowed 74% foreign direct investment (FDI) under automatic route for satellite manufacturing, upto 49% under automatic route for launch vehicles, and upto 100% under automatic route for manufacturing of components and systems.

The new rules will come into effect from April 16 2024.{{Cite web |title=Centre Notifies New FDI Rules For Space Sector Ahead Of Elon Musk's Visit |url=https://www.ndtv.com/business-news/centre-notifies-new-fdi-rules-for-space-sector-ahead-of-elon-musks-visit-5463497 |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=NDTV.com}}{{Cite web |title=Space FDI: Finance ministry notifies FDI in space sector; gives better access to capital, say startups |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/startups/finance-ministry-notifies-fdi-in-space-sector-gives-better-access-to-capital-say-startups/articleshow/109381193.cms |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=The Economic Times}}{{Cite web |last=Sinha |first=Shishir |date=2024-04-17 |title=Finance Ministry notifies new FDI limits for satellite-related activities under FEMA |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/science/finance-ministry-notifies-new-fdi-limits-for-satellite-related-activities-under-fema/article68074526.ece |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=BusinessLine |language=en}}

Throughout this time, various nondisclosure agreements and tech transfers have been taking place between ISRO and private entities.{{cite web|url=https://www.newsbharati.com/Encyc/2021/2/12/-ISRO.amp.html|title=In a first of ISRO's history, it tests its first private satellite|date=12 February 2021|publisher=News Bharati}}{{Cite news|date=2020-12-03|title=Non-Disclosure Agreement signed with M/s Agnikul|url=https://www.isro.gov.in/update/03-dec-2020/non-disclosure-agreement-signed-with-m-s-agnikul|work=ISRO - Government of India|access-date=2021-03-04}}

In July 2024, Minister of Finance Nirmala Sitharaman announced that the Indian government will form a $119 million venture capital find for space startups in India.{{Cite web |last= |date=23 July 2024 |title=India unveils 10 bln rupee venture capital fund for space sector |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/space/india-unveils-10-bln-rupee-venture-capital-fund-space-sector-2024-07-23/ |access-date=23 October 2024 |website=Reuters}} The Union Cabinet of India approved the creation of the venture capital fund in October 2024.{{Cite web |last=India Today Science Desk |date=2024-10-25 |title=Space industry welcomes Cabinet approval of Rs 1,000 crore venture fund |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/science/story/space-industry-welcomes-cabinet-approval-of-rs-1000-crore-venture-fund-2623177-2024-10-25 |access-date=2024-10-28 |website=India Today |language=en}} India has more than 400 private space enterprises as of 2024, up from 54 in 2020.

ISRO and DoS continue to remain dominant in the national space sectFDr, having launched more than 100 domestic and more than 300 foreign satellites for 33 countries,{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/isro-milestone-300-satellites-from-33-nations-put-in-space-in-20-years/articleshow/72268186.cms|title=Isro milestone: 300 satellites from 33 nations put in space in 20 years|publisher=Times of India|date=28 November 2019}} while private firms have gradually been gaining ground.{{sfn|Pardoe|1987|pp=14}}{{sfn|Sadeh|2013|pp=303-}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/5146359/evolving-indian-space-ecosystem-attracting-new|title=Evolving Indian Space Ecosystem Attracting New Space Participants in the Industry, 2020|first=Research and Markets|last=ltd|website=www.researchandmarkets.com}} In 2019, the space industry of India accounted for $7 billion or 2% of the global space industry and employed more than 45,000 people.{{Cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/india-s-aerospace-start-ups-eye-rocket-launches-and-planetary-missions-120062601687_1.html|title=India's aerospace start-ups eye rocket launches and planetary missions|first=Peerzada Abrar Samreen Ahmad & Gireesh|last=Babu|newspaper=Business Standard India|date=June 26, 2020|via=Business Standard}} Antrix Corporation expects the industry to grow up to $50 billion by 2024 if provided with appropriate policy support.{{Cite news|last=Narasimhan|first=TE|date=2020-01-31|title=Space sector can hit $50 bn by 2024, needs policy support: Antrix-PwC study|url=https://wap.business-standard.com/budget/article-amp/space-sector-can-hit-50-bn-by-2024-needs-policy-support-antrix-pwc-study-120013101493_1.html|newspaper=Business Standard|access-date=2021-02-18}}

In February 2020, there were 35 startups that came up in the space sector, of which three focused on designing rockets, 14 on designing satellites, and the rest on drone-based applications and services sector. The number further grew to over 40 in January 2021.{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/startups-to-play-key-role-in-indian-space-industry/story-UI0VNbXOivXicQRicvIhgO.html|title='Startups to play key role in Indian space industry'|date= 28 February 2020|publisher=Hindustan Times}}{{cite news|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/national/india-lagging-behind-us-china-in-space-sector-over-40-start-ups-working-with-govt-economic-survey-945053.html|title=India lagging behind US, China in space sector; over 40 start-ups working with govt: Economic Survey|date=29 January 2021|publisher=Deccan Herald}} Two companies, Skyroot Aerospace and AgniKul Cosmos, have tested their own engines and are in advanced stages of developing their own launch vehicles,{{Cite news|date=2020-12-28|title=Skyroot tests solid propulsion rocket engine, aims at a rocket by 2021 end|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/startups/skyroot-tests-solid-propulsion-rocket-engine-aims-at-a-rocket-by-2021-end/articleshow/79991647.cms|newspaper=The Economic Times|access-date=2021-03-04}}{{Cite news|date=2021-02-11|title=Agnikul Cosmos fires single-piece, 3D printed rocket engine|url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/agnikul-cosmos-fires-single-piece-3d-printed-rocket-engine-6491661.html|newspaper=MoneyControl|access-date=2021-03-04}} while others have their launchers in the production pipeline and have launched satellites using ISRO rockets.

The space industry has contributed $60 billion to India's gross domestic product (GDP) between 2014 and 2024. It created 96,000 direct jobs and 4.7 million indirect jobs, according to the Socio-Economic Impact Analysis of Indian Space Programme Report. India now has the eighth-largest space economy in the world, with space sector earnings reaching $6.3 billion as of 2023.{{Cite news |last=Singh |first=Surendra |date=2024-11-14 |title=For every rupee Isro spends, return is Rs 2.5, says space agency chief |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/for-every-rupee-isro-spends-return-is-rs-2-5-says-space-agency-chief/articleshow/115273716.cms |access-date=2024-12-03 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}{{Cite news |last=Koshy |first=Jacob |date=2024-08-23 |title=‘Space sector contributed ₹20,000 crore to India’s GDP over the last decade’ |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/space-sector-contributed-20000-crore-to-indias-gdp-over-the-last-decade/article68559540.ece |url-access=subscription |access-date=2024-10-10 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}

The Indian economy has benefited from a multiplier effect of $2.54 for every dollar earned by the Indian space industry, according to the European consulting firm Novaspace, with India's space industry workforce being 2.5 times more productive than the country's wider industrial workforce. At a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6%, the Indian space economy which is valued at approximately ₹6,700 crore ($8.4 billion) as of 2024 is projected to reach $13 billion by 2025, accounting for 2% to 3% of the worldwide space economy. The entire amount of money invested in ISRO over the past 55 years since its founding is less than NASA's annual budget. Compared to CNSA, which receives over $18 billion, and NASA, which works with a budget surpassing $25 billion, ISRO's annual budget in 2024 is approximately $1.6 billion.{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Srijan Pal |date=2024-11-06 |title=Why Isro’s low-budget hangover is not sustainable for India's future plans |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/science/story/why-isros-low-budget-hangover-is-not-sustainable-for-indias-future-plans-2628271-2024-11-06 |access-date=2024-12-03 |website=India Today |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Wall |first=Mike |date=2024-03-11 |title=NASA gets $25.4 billion in White House's 2025 budget request |url=https://www.space.com/nasa-white-house-2025-budget-request |access-date=2024-12-03 |website=Space.com |language=en}}

India's space industry aims to focus on various niches in the space domain, which include retrieving space data, constructing small satellites and cheap launches into orbit.{{Cite web |last=Bhattacharjee |first=Nivedita |date=14 October 2024 |title=India's space strategy: harness data and tiny satellites to capture market beyond SpaceX |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/space/indias-space-strategy-harness-data-tiny-satellites-capture-market-beyond-spacex-2024-10-14/ |access-date=23 October 2024 |website=Reuters}}

• List of private spaceflight companies
• List of Indian satellites
• List of foreign satellites launched by India
• Commercialization of space
• Space manufacturing
• Space colonisation
• Defence industry of India
• Economy of India

{{reflist}}

{{refbegin}}

• {{Cite book|last=Pardoe|first=Geoffrey Keith Charles|title=Space Industry International: Markets, Companies, Statistics and Personnel|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H5JFAAAAYAAJ|year=1987|publisher=Longman|isbn=978-0-582-00314-9}}
• {{cite book|last=Sadeh|first=Eligar|year=2013|title=Space Strategy in the 21st Century: Theory and Policy|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=u4nXqDvgGrIC&pg=PA303|date=2013|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-136-22623-6|access-date=19 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306161252/https://books.google.com/books?id=u4nXqDvgGrIC&pg=PA303|archive-date=6 March 2016|url-status=live}}

• {{cite book|last1=Rajagopalan|last2=Prasad|first1=Rajeshwari Pillai|first2=Narayan|title=Space India 2.0: Commerce, Policy, Security and Governance Perspectives|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iwtNDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA72|year=2017|publisher=Observer Research Foundation|isbn=978-81-86818-28-2}}

{{refend}}

{{Politics of outer space}}

{{Spaceflight}}

Category:Space industry

Category:Space programme of India

Category:Indian Space Research Organisation

Category:Indian private spaceflight companies

Category:Economy of India