An Indian Space Law: Long Overdue (By- Dr.S.Krishnan & Visheshta)
As outlined in this brief, the
administrative structure for space science
and technology in India is similar to the one adopted for nuclear science
and technology. The space sector
must now move on a different path. The Atomic
Energy Act of 1962 places
all nuclear materials, activity and technologies
firmly under the purview of
the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). The Secretary of the DAE (under the direct
charge of the prime minister) is the ex-officio
Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission
which oversees the DAE. Even after the separation of the civilian
and strategic nuclear
fuel cycle and its activities, the same person controls both. This approach has resulted in the comparative absence of the private sector
in DAE’s activities, except as
Tier2/Tier3 suppliers. This posed little challenge
to the nuclear sector, as priority has
always been accorded to the strategic dimension
of the nuclear programme. The absence
of the private sector in setting up and operating
nuclear power plants has never been perceived as a major
shortcoming.
The situation with ISRO is different. ISRO is primarily a civilian organisation and is best placed to concentrate on the
challenge of national development
while letting MoD look after the
military dimensions of space technologies. ISRO can continue
to fabricate and launch satellites for MoD but then
it should be handed over to the Defence Space Agency.
ISRO, with its budget of US$1.3 billion
and Antrix with a turnover of US$300 million, need to unleash the potential of the private sector if India aims to achieve 10 percent of the global space economy
by 2030. This means moving from the
current levels of US$7 billion
to over US$70 billion. While this may be achievable, ISRO must shed some of its activities and focus on what it can do best with
its limited budgets. It may also need to cut the umbilical link with Antrix to
avoid conflicts of interest caused
by overlapping roles of supplier,
intermediary, policy formulator and arbitrator. This is where ISRO needs to part wayswiththe
DAEadministrativearchitecture. It should look for a Space Activities Bill that embraces
its partnership with the private
sector, particularly with the entrepreneurial players in New Space.
A vibrant startup culture is
emerging in India on the heels of the IT boom making use of data, mobile telephony
and identity-based Aadhar. With more than 30000 startups today, India boasts of a score of unicorns. Years ago, ISRO launched the idea of Village Resource Centres
to work in collaboration with local Panchayats
and NGOs but only 460 pilots have
begun. Expanding this is a formidable challenge
but has the potential to transform rural
India if properly conceived as a part of the India Stack15 and the Jan Dhan Yojana.16
New Space startups
have been nurtured
by both the US space
agency NASA and the European
Space Agency by using the incubator approach;
this can be explored by ISRO. Moreover, ISRO needs to develop Tier-1 vendors and original equipment
manufacturers. Fortunately, there is movement in this direction. There is the
idea of commercialising the tried and
tested PSLV launch technology. A small satellite
revolution is underway.
Globally, 17000 small satellites are expected
to be launched between now and
2030. The number of global
space launches has more than doubled
over the last three years, with SpaceX
leading the way with lower
launch costs. ISRO is also developing a small satellite launch vehicle (SSLV) expected to be ready this year. Designed with a capability to place a payload of 500 kg in a low earth
orbital of 500
km, the SSLV
is aimed at the
commercial small satellite launch market. It is a prime candidate, along with the proven PSLV, to be farmed out to the private sector.
This will require giving private entities
responsibility for AIT activities.
India needs a suitable Space Activities law backed by appropriate rules and
regulations. This will support and enable the growth of the
current US$7-billion space economy to a US$70-billion-dollar
space economy by 2030, as the
country aims to become a major space power.