Sameer at 12:50, 30 November 2025

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{{Short description|Agency in India's Department of Space}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox government agency
| name = Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre
| native_name_a =
| type = Centre
| seal =
| logo = IN-SPACe Logo.png
| logo_size = 320x107px
| formed = {{Start date and age|df=y|2020|6|24}}
| jurisdiction = [[Government of India]]
| headquarters = [[Ahmedabad]], [[Gujarat]], [[India]]
| employees =
| budget =
| minister1_name = [[Narendra Modi]]
| minister1_pfo = [[Prime Minister of India]] and [[Minister of Space]]
| deputyminister1_name = [[Jitendra Singh (BJP politician)|Jitendra Singh]]
| deputyminister1_pfo = [[Minister of State (India)|Minister of State]] for [[Department of Space|Space]]
| chief1_name = Dr. Pawan Goenka
| chief1_position = Chairman
| chief2_name = Smt. Sandhya Venugopal Sharma, IAS
| chief2_position = (Additional Secretary, DoS)
| chief3_name = Shri [[A. Rajarajan]]
| chief3_position = (Director, SDSC-SHAR, ISRO)
| chief4_name = Shri Shantanu Bhatawdekar
| chief4_position = (Scientific Secretary, ISRO)
| chief5_name = Shri Nilesh M. Desai
| chief5_position = (Director, SAC, ISRO)
| chief6_name = Dr. Shailesh Nayak
| chief6_position = (Director, NIAS)
| chief7_name = Shri Tej Pal Singh
| chief7_position = (Director General BISAG-N)
| chief8_name = Shri Lochan Sehra, IAS
| chief8_position = (Joint Secretary, IN-SPACe)
| chief9_name = Shri Atul Dinkar Rane
| chief9_position = (CEO & MD, Brahmos Aerospace)
| parent_department = [[Department of Space]], [[Government of India]]
| website = {{URL|https://www.inspace.gov.in}}
}}

'''Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre''' ('''IN–SPACe''') is a single-window autonomous agency under the [[Department of Space]] of the [[Government of India]]. The establishment of IN–SPACe was announced in June 2020 by the [[Minister of State#Minor government ranks|Minister of State]] for Space [[Jitendra Singh (politician, born 1956)|Jitendra Singh]],<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=2020-06-25 |title=In-Space to be new space industry regulator, says ISRO chief Sivan |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/new-space-industry-body-inspace-to-be-in-place-in-3-6-months-ksivan/article31911841.ece |access-date=2020-07-10 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> with the [[Union Council of Ministers|Union Cabinet]] approving its creation.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=2020-06-25 |title=Private players can build and launch space missions, says ISRO chief |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/private-players-can-build-and-launch-space-missions-says-isro-chief/story-YEwSemiGHr8uWtkAn9wnaI.html |access-date=2020-07-11 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Kumar |first=Chethan |date=June 25, 2020 |title=In-Space: New regulator to have private players on board |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/science/in-space-new-regulator-to-have-private-players-on-board/articleshow/76618289.cms |access-date=2020-07-11 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref>

In the same month [[Secretary to the Government of India|Secretary]] (Space) and [[chairperson of ISRO]], [[K. Sivan]], said that it would take up to six{{Nbsp}}months to operationalize IN–SPACe,<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> with the Department of Space handling its functions in the meantime.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":1" />

== History ==
Space programme in India has been developed over a period of more than five decades with a strong focus on application driven programmes and bringing space to the services of the common man. In the process, it has become one of the six largest space agencies in the world. [[ISRO]] maintains one of the largest fleets of [[Geostationary orbit|GEO]] communication and [[Low Earth orbit|LEO]] [[remote sensing]] satellites, that cater to the ever-growing demand for fast and reliable communication and earth observation respectively.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 September 2021 |title=In Focus: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) |url=https://scienceindiamag.in/in-focus-indian-space-research-organisation-isro-2/ |access-date=5 October 2024 |website=Science India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jain |first=Sakshi |date=2023-06-19 |title=List of Communication Satellites in India |url=https://www.eletimes.com/list-of-communication-satellites-in-india |access-date=2024-10-05 |website=ELE Times |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Marvels of Indian Satellites |url=https://www.isro.gov.in/NSPD2024/assets/pdf/Satellite%20Brochure%20-%20Pagewise.pdf |access-date=5 October 2024 |website=ISRO}}</ref>

Over the years, ISRO has developed several industries and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) as supply chain partners in realization of launch vehicles and satellites. In view of the growing space sector business across the globe and to harness the huge untapped potential that exists in the country in terms of human resources, technical acumen, capabilities established in the industries in space sector, it is found prudent to enable NGEs to carry out independent space activities.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Srinivas |first=Vidyashree |date=2024-09-26 |title=India’s Space Journey from 1962 to AI Autonomous Landings in 2024 |url=https://analyticsindiamag.com/ai-breakthroughs/indias-space-journey-from-1962-to-ai-autonomous-landings-in-2024/ |access-date=2024-10-05 |website=AIM |language=en-US}}</ref>

In order to achieve this objective, the [[Union Council of Ministers|Union Cabinet]] led by the [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]] [[Narendra Modi]] took the historic decision in June 2020 to open up the Space sector and enable the participation of Indian [[private sector]] in the entire gamut of space activities. To facilitate private sector participation, the government has created the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), as a single-window, independent, nodal agency which functions as an autonomous agency in Department of Space (DOS). Established as a single window agency for all space sector activities of private entities, IN-SPACe plays an important role in boosting the private space sector economy in India.<ref>{{Cite news |date=24 June 2020 |title=Historic reforms initiated in the Space sector. Private sector participation in Space activities approved. |url=https://pib.gov.in/Pressreleasepage.Aspx?PRID=1633892 |access-date=5 October 2024 |work=Press Information Bureau |publisher=Prime Minister's Office, Government of India}}</ref>

IN-SPACe is responsible for promoting, enabling, authorising, and supervising various space activities of the NGEs. These activities include, among others, the construction of launch vehicles and satellites, the provision of space-based services, the sharing of space infrastructure and premises under the control of DOS/ISRO, and the establishment of new space infrastructure and facilities.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kumar |first=Chethan |date=2024-05-03 |title=Operationalising space policy 2023: IN-SPACe releases guidelines for pvt sector |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/operationalising-space-policy-2023-in-space-releases-guidelines-for-pvt-sector/articleshow/109813887.cms |access-date=2024-10-05 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

Three Directorates viz., Promotion Directorate (PD), Technical Directorate (TD) and Program Management and Authorization Directorate (PMAD) are carrying out the functions of IN-SPACe.<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 November 2022 |title=IN-SPACe authorizes India’s first-ever private launch of a Launch Vehicle |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1876714 |access-date=5 October 2024 |work=Press Information Bureau |publisher=Department of Space, Government of India}}</ref>

== Functions ==
IN–SPACe will act as a link between the ISRO and private sector companies, assessing "how best to utilise India’s space resources and increase space-based activities."<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|date=2020-06-28|title=In-Space explained: what it means to the future of space exploration|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/in-space-india-space-missions-private-participation-isro-6476532/|access-date=2020-07-10|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref> The centre will evaluate demands of private sector companies—including educational institutes—and will find ways to attune their demands, in consultation with ISRO.<ref name=":2" /> Sivan told that the centre's decisions would be binding on both ISRO and private sector organisations.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":1" /> The space sector was earlier regulated by ISRO, but, now the organisation will focus on its core activity of research and development.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" />

=== Ground station as a service ===
The viability of Ground Station As a Service (GSaaS) for the private sector on ISRO property is being investigated by IN-SPACe. Ground station operations will be outsourced by GSaaS to specialized service providers who charge a subscription fee or pay-per-use for a variety of services. It would result in reduced requirements for housing several stations at the same location, financial advantages, resource efficiency, improved service coverage, and cooperative innovation. [[Dhruva Space]]'s application to offer GSaaS services was approved by IN-SPACe. Six ground stations in VHF and UHF bands, as well as two in S and/or X bands, have been designed and constructed by the startup. [[Azista BST Aerospace]] has also been authorized by IN-SPACe to establish a ground station in the UHF frequency band. In addition to offering GSaaS for operations and data receipt from remote-sensing satellites to both Indian and foreign clients, Azista BST Aerospace will service its satellites.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sur |first=Aihik |date=4 October 2024 |title=Govt exploring ways to allow industry to use ISRO premises for setting up satellite ground stations |url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/space/govt-exploring-ways-to-allow-industry-to-use-isro-premises-for-setting-up-satellite-ground-stations-12835450.html |access-date=5 October 2024 |work=moneycontrol.com}}</ref>

=== Investment fund ===
In February 2025, IN–SPACe announced a {{INRConvert|500|c|lk=on|year=2025}} Technology Adoption Fund (TAF), which will be used to assist space technology companies, with a focus on assisting startups and MSMEs in developing commercially-viable products.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jacob |first=Shine |date=19 February 2025 |title=IN-SPACe starts Rs 500 cr tech adoption fund to boost India's space sector |url=https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/in-space-starts-rs-500-cr-tech-adoption-fund-to-boost-india-s-space-sector-125021900601_1.html |access-date=21 February 2025 |website=Business Standard}}</ref>

=== Satellite bus as a service ===
In April 2025, IN–SPACe launched the Satellite Bus as a Service (SBaaS) initiative.<ref name=":4" /> The SBaaS initiative provides a pathway for private sector Indian space companies to design and develop [[small satellite]] [[Satellite bus|bus]] platforms for [[hosted payload]] uses.<ref name=":4" /> The SBaaS initiative also aims to reduce India's dependence on importing foreign satellite-bus platforms.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Jacob |first=Shine |date=27 April 2025 |title=IN-SPACe invites private companies to develop satellite-bus platforms |url=https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/india-woos-private-sector-to-design-and-develop-satellite-bus-platforms-125042700272_1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250512183229/https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/india-woos-private-sector-to-design-and-develop-satellite-bus-platforms-125042700272_1.html |archive-date=12 May 2025 |access-date=21 May 2025 |website=Business Standard |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Organisation ==
According to [[Secretary to the Government of India|Secretary]] ([[Department of Space|Space]]) and chairman of ISRO, K. Sivan, IN–SPACe is an autonomous body with its own board—with some members from the private sector and industry —and chairperson. [[Pawan Kumar Goenka|Dr. Pawan Kumar Goenka]], is the Chairman of IN-SPACe. The centre have three directorates namely Promotion, technical and Program Management and Authorisation.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />

== See also ==
{{Portal|India|Rocketry|Spaceflight}}
* [[ISRO|Indian Space Research Organisation]]
* [[Indian Space Association]]
* [[Space industry of India]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}
<references responsive="1"></references>

== External links ==
{{Official|https://www.inspace.gov.in}}

{{Indian space programme}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre}}

[[Category:2020 establishments in India]]
[[Category:Space programme of India]]
[[Category:Space agencies]]
[[Category:Government agencies of India]]
[[Category:Government agencies established in 2020]]

Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre - Revision history

Sameer at 12:50, 30 November 2025