Context: As the Union government gave its nod to bring reforms in the space sector by allowing private players' participation, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has released the draft of a new Spacecom Policy 2020. The policy will regulate the commercial use of satellites, orbital slots, and ground stations for communication needs. The policy also details how private players can get authorisation for setting up new communication satellites and ground stations. The private players in the space communication sector will also enable India to keep pace with the growing demand for satellite-based broadcasting, network connectivity, and global mobile personal communication. In this edition of The Big Picture we will analyse the Draft Spacecom Policy and what lies ahead for India’s space sector. 
Key Points

• The Department of Space after deciding to open the space sector for private firms has now proposed to enable the private Indian companies to not just use the existing space assets for communication services but also launch satellites, develop new systems as well as sell services to foreign customers under Space-Based Communication Policy of India- Spacecom Policy-2020.
• According to the Spacecom policy draft, which will replace the existing Satcom Policy, the private Indian firms will be allowed to set up control centres outside India and use overseas space assets. 
• The major change will be to encourage the private sector and renew focus on enhancing the capabilities of national security.

How does the Spacecom policy draft proposes to enhance the private sector’s role?

• According to the prepared draft, the private firms will be able to establish tracking and command earth stations and satellite control centres in or outside India.
• The companies will be able to offer the capacity to commercial and societal communications within the country as well as outside, they can also supply their systems and solutions to the International market.
• Indian firms will be able to avail of Indian and non-Indian orbital resources in order to establish systems for services within and outside the country.
• Firms will also be able to avail of Indian resources from the designated entities under DoS on a commercial basis. While foreign resources can be used following the new norms.
• The draft also adds that the satellite communication systems which can’t be in an open to all commercial domain will be brought into operation with the government’s involvement for sustainability.
• No changes in societal development programmes in Spacecom Policy-2020
• The new Spacecom Policy will have everything that Satcom policy has in terms of the creation of new assets, protection of assets, monitoring, and operation.
• The draft explains that Satcom programmes that are focused on societal development- social empowerment, tribal development, education, health, and disaster management- will still remain under the domain of the Department of Space.

About Spacecom Policy-2020

• As per K Sivan, Secretary, Department of Space, the policy envisions measures to authorize and monitor space assets for communication to or from Indian territory. It further lists steps to bring more assets under India’s control in order to use space-based communication for national needs.
• He further added that soon the department will also have specific policies on navigation, launch vehicles, space exploration, remote sensing, and human spaceflight. This will propel India to the next level.

About Satcom Policy

• The Satellite Communication Policy (SATCOM) was framed in 1997 by the Department of Space in partnership with the Telecommunications Department and Department of Science and Technology.
• The policy was framed to develop a strong satellite communication service industry in India. As the policy did not specify the manner in which it can be implemented, the Department of Space formulated the guidelines, norms, and procedures for implementing the framework of Satcom policy.
• India has made significant progress in the area of satellite communication in terms of realization of indigenous technology, facilities, systems and rollout of services in a systematic manner. 
• The implementation space based communication services has been led by the Government with relevant contributions from Indian Industry to achieve self-reliance and bring in necessary capabilities within the country at par with global trends.
• The satcom applications are growing in leaps and bounds with rapid advancements in the technology. 
• The demand for satellite bandwidth is growing to meet the communication needs for socio-economic development, connecting inaccessible regions, national security and consumer services. 
• In order to meet such demands and to capture due shares in global market, it is essential to augment the orbit-spectrum resources and develop new technologies in a sustained manner.
• Space is becoming a vital frontier for strategic applications and India needs to augment its space capabilities to ensure its national security and sovereignty through appropriate monitoring and control measures/ mechanism under Government of India.

Provision of timely and responsive regulatory environment

• Indian National Space Promotion & Authorization Center (IN-SPACe), an independent body constituted by Government of India, under Department of Space (DOS), shall accord necessary authorizations and permissions for all satcom related activities, to or from Indian territory, as per the applicable acts, regulatory provisions & exemptions and statutory guidelines.
• The provisions brought out under this Norms, Guidelines and Procedures for Implementation of Space Based Communication Policy of India- 2020 (Spacecom NGP- 2020) forms the basis for authorizations and operations of space based communications in India.
• IN-SPACe shall formulate additional authorisations, if any, as and when needed and also bring out detailed guidelines for submission of applications, processing and grant of authorizations, from time to time.
• Department of Space being the administrative ministry in respect of space activities as per the Government of India allocation of business rules, shall bring out policy guidelines and additional regulations in respect of space based communications. 

Key benefits and upcoming initiatives

• ISRO is over burdened by its regular operations such a launch of satellites, construction of launching vehicle etc which are becoming hurdles in ISRO's way for working in new projects so ISRO wants these regular operation to be conducted by  private players. 
• With this move Space sector is divided into two; one is commercial and another one is stretigical. And government should make laws regarding the operation of private player in these two so that technology can't be misused. 
• Private player can participate in setting up of ground station for space crafts which constitute 48% of space sector budget and also in application of space technology which result in 45% of space economy. 
• Indian entrepreneur has capabilities to capture international world market and have potential to become Boeing and Tesla of India. 
• ISRO is planing to launch Chandrayan mission 3 and working toward developing heavy lift launch vehicle in which India has to depend on other nations. 
• India is collaborating with international space agency such as NASA , European space Agency and many more.