India's push for home-grown satellite constellation gets 30 aspirants

Centum Electronics

24/12/2024 09:13

By Nivedita Bhattacharjee
       BENGALURU, Dec 24 (Reuters) - Thirty Indian companies
have answered the space regulator's call to build and operate
constellations of Earth observation (EO) satellites in a
groundbreaking private-public partnership to reduce the
country's reliance on foreign data for defense, infrastructure
management and other critical mapping needs.
    "We have received 9 applications ... Each applicant
represents a consortium, involving a total of 30 companies,"
said Pawan Goenka, chairman of the Indian National Space
Promotion and Authorisation Centre, or IN-SPACe.
    The regulator had sought "expressions of interest" (EoI) in
July to build home-grown satellite constellations as part of a
broader strategy to monetize the sector and ensure data
sovereignty.
    India is doubling down on its small satellite and data
services market to carve out a leading role in the global
commercialization of space. The market for such services,
increasingly key for industries ranging from telecoms to climate
monitoring, is projected to reach $45 billion by 2030.
    The applicants for IN-SPACe's latest effort in this regard
include startups such as Google-backed Pixxel and Baring Private
Equity-backed SatSure, as well as larger entities like Tata
Group's Tata Advanced Systems. The companies did not immediately
respond to requests for comment.
    Goenka said he expects technical evaluations to be completed
by the end of January, after which a tender will be floated to
determine the winning bidder.
    IN-SPACe's eligibility criteria include applicants raising
or investing at least 850 million rupees ($10 million) in
space-related activities, having a valuation of 8.5 billion
rupees, or a turnover of 2 billion rupees in the past three
years.
    They must also set up spacecraft control centres in India or
partner with ground station service providers for operational
needs.
    The government plans to loan up to 3.5 billion to the
winner, with private companies expected to cover the remaining
costs, according to a source familiar with the matter.
    Since opening the sector to private players in February,
India has established a 10-billion-rupee venture fund to support
space startups. 
    The country has also unveiled ambitious plans for crewed
space exploration and a mission to Venus, but the primary focus
remains on fostering commercial ventures and scaling up private
sector participation.
    India currently sources much of its EO data from foreign
companies and agencies like the European Space Agency (ESA) and
the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
    IIFCL Projects Ltd, an advisory arm under the Ministry of
Finance, is overseeing the bidding process.
 
 ($1 = 85.1920 Indian rupees)

 (Reporting by Nivedita Bhattacharjee in Bengaluru; Editing by
Savio D'Souza)
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