In October 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually launched the Indian Space Association (ISpA), a private industry body to help boost space technology in India.
- ISpA will participate and work with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and other stakeholders of both government and its agencies, on the issue of policy around space domain and technology.
Key Points about ISpA:
i.Its founding members include Larson & Toubro, Nelco (Tata Group), OneWeb, Bharti Airtel, Mapmyindia, Walchandnagar Industries, and Ananth Technology Limited among others.
ii.Focus: It will focus on capacity building and space economic hubs and incubators in India.
iii.It will act as a single-window and independent agency on matters related to space technology
iv.4 pillars of Space technology: PM represented Freedom of innovation to the private sector, the government’s role as an enabler, preparing the youth for the future, and seeing the space sector as a resource for the progress of the common man, as the 4 pillars of Space technology.
OneWeb Entered into Arrangement with NSIL to Launch Satellite
OneWeb (a venture backed by Bharti Airtel), has entered into an arrangement with NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), the commercial arm of ISRO, to use Indian-built PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) and the heavier GSLV (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle)-MkIII as potential platforms to launch OneWeb’s satellites in India from 2022.
Key Points:
i.The arrangement was made through a non-binding letter of intent (LOI); could be converted into a binding one after board approval.
ii.OneWeb is building its initial constellation of 648 LEO (Low Earth Orbit) satellites and has already put 322 satellites into orbit.
iii.It plans to start services to the Arctic region including Alaska, Canada, and the UK in 2021 and to India in the second half of 2022.
iv.On 14th October 2021, OneWeb has scheduled to undertake its 11th launch with a further 36 satellites on board.
Recent Related News:
In accordance with the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), the INSPIRESat-1 CubeSat, developed under the International Satellite Program in Research and Education (INSPIRE) is all set for launch through an upcoming Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) mission of the ISRO.
About NewSpace India Limited (NSIL):
Establishment – 6 March 2019
Headquarters – Bengaluru, Karnataka
CMD – G. Narayanan
