From October 9 to 11, 2023, the 2nd edition of annual Indian Space Conclave (ISC 2023) was held at Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi, Delhi. The conclave was organized by Indian Space Association (ISpA).
- It was co-hosted by Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe), an autonomous agency in the Department of Space (DOS).
About ISC 2023:
Theme of the Conclave: The theme of ISC 2023 is ‘Bhumandal se Brahaman Tak’ (From Earth to the Entire Universe)’.
Aim of Conclave: To provide a platform for organizations and stakeholders interested in enhancing India’s space capabilities and plans
Country of Honour: France was the special guest at the Indian Space Conclave 2023.
Participants: It brought together different Government, Private Industry and Academia stakeholders.
Notable Figures:
Chief Guest: Minister of State (MoS) Dr Jitendra Singh, Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) (9th October 2023); Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) (11th October 2023)
Guest of Honour: Thierry Mathou, Ambassador of France to India
ISpA & GIFAS signed MoU to Boost Space Industry Capabilities in France & India
On the first day of ISC 2023, ISpA and GIFAS (Groupement des Industries Françaises Aéronautiques et Spatiales) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the Indo-French Space Synergy plenary session.
- ISpA is an apex non-profit industry body, set up exclusively for the successful collaborative development of the Private Space Industry in India.
- GIFAS is a French Aerospace Industries Association.
Aim of the MoU: To enhance the understanding of space industry capabilities and increase awareness of business opportunities in France and India
Key Points:
i.This collaboration fosters sustainable growth , promote innovation, and advocate the adoption of new technologies in the space industries of both India and France. .
ii.It will strengthen Indo-French space relationship, expands memberships, and encourages international connections.
iii.It acilitates academic and educational exchanges, including training, addressing growing global interest in the space sector.
iv.The key delegates for this session included Thierry Mathou, Ambassador-Designate of France to India; Marc Serres, CEO (Chief Executive Officer), Luxembourg Space Agency (LSA); Astronaut Thomas Pesquet from European Space Agency (ESA), among others.
v.It was announced that in 2024, a delegation of French space and aerospace sectors will visit India in October for roadshow and networking event.
Note: The first bilateral agreement in space cooperation between France and India was signed in 1964.
Deloitte, Nasscom & ISpA Launched “Exploring opportunities for Indian downstream spacetech” report
During ISC 2023, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India LLP (Deloitte) in collaboration with NASSCOM (National Association of Software and Service Companies) , and ISpA launched a report titled ‘Exploring opportunities for Indian downstream spacetech‘ stating Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) as a booster to India’s spacetech sector and positioning it as a global leader.
What is in the report?
i.It provides a comprehensive view of the India’s space sector, focusing on integrating space technology into real-world applications by considering both commercial opportunities and national security implications.
ii.The report listed out three core satellite applications areas – Remote Sensing/Earth Observation; Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT); and Satellite Communication (SATCOM) and identified more than 200 use cases.
- Earth observation applications include agriculture uses like crop insurance, yield monitoring, disaster management, and biodiversity conservation.
- SATCOM-as-a-service enables applications in in-flight and remote area connectivity, DTH broadcasting, telehealth, and tele-education.
iii.It delves into 25 strategic uses within these areas, predicting their significant impact on space technology growth and innovation in the next 5 years.
Exhibition:
After a conclave, a three-day exhibition featuring 24 exhibitors from leading space startups and academic institutions showcased their products and offerings was inaugurated by Thierry Mathou, and Governor Shekhar Dutt, SM (Retd), Former Defence Secretary, and Governor of Chhattisgarh.
Recent Related News:
i.India and the United States of America (US) jointly launched a call for proposals on “Critical and Emerging Technology: Quantum Technologies and Artificial Intelligence for Transforming Lives“. The program was designed by the Indo-US Science and Technology Forum (IUSSTF) and the Secretariat for USISTEF.
ii.The 117th and final launch of Ariane 5, a 53 metre tall, three-stage launcher was
successfully blasted off from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana toward geostationary orbit to deliver two military communications satellites namely Syracuse 4B for the France and the Heinrich Hertz (H2Sat) for the German Governments.
About Indian Space Association (ISpA):
Director General– Lt Gen Anil Kumar Bhatt (Retd)
Headquarters– New Delhi, Delhi
Establishment– 2021
