IOI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday launched the Indian Space Association (ISpA) and said that India will ensure that the space sector unites the world. “India will have to ensure that space plays an important role in uniting, connecting the world in the 21st century,” he said.
He stated that space sector reforms are founded on four pillars: private sector innovation freedom, the government’s role as an enabler, youth preparation for the future, and viewing the space sector as a tool for the common man’s growth.
Previously, the space industry was only available to the government, according to PM Modi. However, “we changed that mindset and introduced innovations in the field. We brought the government and startups together because it is not the time for linear innovation but exponential innovation.”
PM Modi stated that India is one of the few countries that has established knowledge in launch vehicles, satellites, and interplanetary exploration when discussing India’s end-to-end capability in the area. “We need to strengthen the brand value of efficiency and affordability and we need to become part of the end-to-end space system supply chain. As partners, the government will support the industry, young innovators, startups.”
The prime minister, invoking the government’s role in strengthening the private sector in space technology, stated, “From the Defence to the Space sector, the government is sharing its expertise, providing a launch pad for the private sector and Isro’s facilities are being opened. We will ensure that technology that has matured in the sector is transferred to private companies and the government will act as an aggregator for space assets.”
Last-mile delivery, leakage-free governance, and transparent government have all benefited from space technology. From geotagging to satellite monitoring to assisting fisherman and catastrophe preparedness, space technology is assisting in good governance, according to the prime minister.
” The space sector is a medium for the development of the common people and aims to provide better mapping, imaging and connectivity. Providing better speed to entrepreneurs, improved forecasting, security and income for the agriculture sector, predicting natural disasters and saving lives and livelihoods,” PM Modi added.
He stated that the administration intends to enhance the participation of women in the profession as a result of the reforms now happening in the sector. In the meantime, the government is nearing the completion of a policy on remote sensing.
ISpA is India’s main industry association for space and satellite companies, with the goal of being the sector’s collective voice.
The organisation intends to interact with all players in the Indian space sector, including the government and its agencies, in policy advocacy. The agency will assist India in becoming self-sufficient, technologically advanced, and a major player in space.
Larson & Toubro, Nelco (Tata Group), OneWeb, Bharti Airtel, Mapmyindia, Walchandnagar Industries, and Ananth Technology Limited are among the founding members. Godrej, Hughes India, Azista-BST Aerospace Private Limited, BEL, Centum Electronics, and Maxar India are among the other founding members.
The new body’s director-general has been named Lt Gen Anil Bhatt (Retd).
