A spate of private proposals for India’s space sector, many companies including Amazon in the race
Many domestic and foreign companies, including giant e-commerce company Amazon and OneWeb, have shown interest in India’s space sector. A few months ago the government decided to open up the country’s space sector to the private sector. It has received at least 22 offers from domestic companies and 4 from foreign companies. The newly formed space regulator IN-SPACe is reviewing these proposals. Amazon Web Services (AWS), owned by Jeff Bezos, and OneWeb, a UK company invested by Bharti Group, are among those who have shown interest in India’s space sector.
The proposals that IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center) has received include proposals for permitting for ground stations, making satellite constellations to build and launch satellites, launch vehicles and provide applications. Secretary of Department of Space K Sivan said that many Indian companies are moving in the right way which is very encouraging and according to the vision of the Prime Minister. These include L&T and Bharti Group and startup companies. Showing interest by foreign companies like Amazon will help India become a global space hub.
What are the proposals: AWS decided to form the new company Aerospace & Satellite Solutions at the same time in June, when the formation of IN-SPACe in India was approved. The company has sought permission for the private space business. This includes setting up ground stations and providing satellite-based services. Similarly, OneWeb has sought permission to manufacture and service small satellite constellations. The UAE company Archeron Group wants to help launch smaller satellites while Norway’s Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT) wants to build ground stations.
As far as the proposal from Indian companies is concerned, Tata company NELCO has sought support for Low Earth Orbit Network Services while L&T wants a greater role in the launch of small satellites. Several startup companies have sought permission for space-based applications, satellite making, launching, and the development and launch of rockets.
