[Answered] How does a strong space sector contribute to the overall development of a nation? Describe briefly the steps taken by the government for the space sector development.

As per SpaceTech Analytics, India is the sixth-largest player in the industry internationally having 3.6% of the world’s space-tech companies. The Indian Space Industry aspires to grow to $50 billion by 2024. India holds the distinction of being the first country to have reached the Mars’ orbit in its first attempt.

Strong space sector- overall development of a nation:

• Enhancing space technology would be beneficial to bolster connectivity and combat climate-related implications through a more secure and effective means.
• Satellites can also serve as real-time monitoring and early-warning solutions against natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, wildfires, mining etc.
• Satellites assess long-term trends in the climate and habitability of a region which make governments to be able to devise more pragmatic and combative plans of action for farmers and dependent industries.
• Real-time tracking can also serve multiple purposes in defence.
• Satellite communication can reach more remote areas where conventional networks would require a heavy complimenting infrastructure.
• The World Economic Forum had stated that satellite communication can help connect 49% of the world’s unconnected population.
• The space avenue is an integration of the aerospace, IT hardware and telecom sectors. Investment in this field would foster positive carryover effects to other sectors as well.

Steps taken by the government:

• Indian Space Association (ISpA): It aspires to be the collective voice of the Indian Space industry. ISpA will be represented by leading domestic and global corporations that have advanced capabilities in space and satellite technologies.
• Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe): It aims to provide a level-playing field for private companies to use the Indian space architecture. IN-SPACe will act as a channel between ISRO and any private players that want to participate in space activity, thereby culling lengthy bureaucratic procedures.
• New Space India Limited (NSIL): It is a Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Department of Space. It has been mandated to transfer the technologies emanating out of the Indian space programme and enable Indian industry to scale up high-technology manufacturing base.
• The government allows for 100% FDI into the sector, governed by the sectoral guidelines of the Department of Space/ISRO, under the government route.

ISRO is one of the very few Public sector undertakings that are best performing in India.  The government should enhance collaboration between Indian private players and big private players from across the globe like SpaceX, Virgin Galactic etc.