Context: India has decided to allow private companies to establish and operate rocket launch sites within and outside the country, subject to prior authorisation from the government.
Key highlights of the Draft National Space Transportation Policy-2020

• The Draft National Space Transportation Policy-2020 is comprehensive covering all aspects of rocket launching, launchpads, reentry of a space object and others.
• Any rocket launch (orbital or sub-orbital) from Indian or overseas territory can be carried out only with authorisation from Indian National Space Promotion & Authorization Center (IN-SPACe).
• The launch could be from own or leased launch site and also from mobile platforms (land, sea or air) as per the Draft National Space Transportation Policy-2020.
• The city based Agnikul Cosmos is developing a small rocket to launch small satellites into orbit.
• Skyroot Aerospace is another small rocket maker.
• IN-SPACe authorisation requires the financial guarantee or insurance cover by the proposer as part of its ownership towards fulfilment of nation's liability as per international agreements.

In the case of launching from outside the territory of India

• All approvals necessary for undertaking the scope of activities in another nation or territory shall be under the applicable laws of the concerned nation/territory.
• The compliance and approvals of the administration controlling the territory from where the Launch is performed shall be ensured by the proposer and the proof of compliance/approvals shall be enclosed with the application for authorisation.
• The IN-SPACe shall authorise the launch by the Indian Entity after verifying the clearances accorded by the Ministry of External Affairs or any other Ministry, if applicable and also the approvals obtained by the Entity from the administration/agencies controlling the territory from where the launch is planned.

IN-SPACe or the Union of India shall not have any liability related to launches performed outside of the territory of India.

• The authorisation process shall ensure that the sharing of Government owned launch facilities shall not pose any constraint to the timely implementation of approved space programmes for societal development or safeguarding national sovereignty.
• It is essential to ensure that the independent launch activities undertaken by Indian entities are in accordance with relevant treaties and other international agreements.
• Therefore, an authorisation mechanism needs to be in place to ensure compliance to the relevant regulations and safety requirements.

Why such decision has been taken now?

• Globally, the participation of private agencies in providing launch services has increased and some of these agencies have become significant players in the commercial market for launch services.
• India is also witnessing the emergence of a "New Space" wherein the private players in the space sector aim to tap the commercial potential of small satellite launch services by developing small satellite launchers for the global market.
• The Indian players, who are engaged in the launch vehicle development, are also eager to leverage the national facilities already established by the Government.
• The recent reforms announced by the Government towards unlocking the potential of the space sector in the country are expected to attract entrepreneurs to invest in cost-effective & quick turn-around space transportation systems commensurate with the significant global commercial launch services market.

About IN-SPACe

• IN- SPACe stands for Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre.
• The establishment of IN–SPACe was announced in June 2020 by the Minister of State for Space.
• IN-SPACe is an independent nodal agency under Department of Space for allowing space activities and usage of DOS owned facilities by NGPEs as well as to prioritise the launch manifest.

IN-SPACe is to be established as a single window nodal agency, with its own cadre, which will permit and oversee the activities of NGPEs such as:

• Space activities including building of launch vehicles and satellites and providing space based services as per the definition of space activities.
• Sharing of space infrastructure and premises under the control of ISRO with due considerations to on-going activities.
• IN-SPACe is supposed to be a facilitator, and also a regulator.
• It will act as an interface between ISRO and private parties, and assess how best to utilise India’s space resources and increase space-based activities.