Context

• The Tamil Nadu Cabinet has approved a Space Industrial Policy, becoming the third Indian state—after Karnataka and Gujarat—to adopt a dedicated space policy.

Aim

·  To promote growth and attract investments within the space sector.

·  In 2023, the Union government introduced the Indian Space Policy 2023, establishing a framework to support the development of the space ecosystem.

·  The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) recommended that the State government develop its own space policy document.

·  IN-SPACe, established by the Department of Space, serves as the central agency responsible for promoting, authorizing, and overseeing the activities of Non-Government Entities (NGEs) in the space sector.

Key Highlights of Tamil Nadu’s Space Policy

·  Targets attracting ?10,000 crore in investments over the next five years, along with creating approximately 10,000 direct and indirect jobs within the same period.

·  Offers a payroll subsidy for companies engaged in R&D or establishing global capability centres in the space sector.

·  Designates select areas as Space Bays, providing structured incentive packages for firms planning investments below ?300 crore.

·  Grants industrial housing incentives to space industrial park developers, offering 10% subsidy on residential facility development costs over 10 years, capped at ?10 crore.

·  Provides a 25% capital cost subsidy for green and sustainable initiatives within these parks, subject to a maximum of ?5 crore.

Indian Space Policy – 2023

1. Vision & Objectives

• Enhance India’s space capabilities
• Enable a strong commercial space sector
• Promote international cooperation
• Leverage space tech for:
  • Socio-economic development
  • National security
  • Environmental protection
  • Scientific advancement

2. Scope & Applicability

• Covers all space activities involving Indian territory/jurisdiction
• Implementation guided by Department of Space (DoS) directives

3. Strategy

• Encourage full private sector participation:
  • Satellites
  • Ground systems
  • Space services
• Public and private users can freely procure space services

4. Role of Non-Governmental Entities (NGEs)

• Authorized activities:
  • Design, launch, operate satellites & launch vehicles
  • Provide communication, remote sensing, navigation services
  • Build & operate ground stations
  • Develop space transport, situational awareness, recovery systems
  • Conduct asteroid/space resource mining & commercialization
  • Collaborate internationally
  • Participate in human spaceflight
• Compliance with IN-SPACe regulations mandatory

Roles and Responsibilities of Key Organizations Under the Policy

IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre):
An autonomous, single-window agency responsible for:

• Authorizing all government and private space activities.
• Issuing operational guidelines.
• Promoting industry clusters, incubation centers, and accelerators.
• Ensuring equitable access to public space infrastructure.
• Facilitating Non-Governmental Entities’ (NGE) participation in space exploration.
• Managing safety protocols, liability issues, and dispute resolution.
• Enabling technology transfer from ISRO to private sector players.
• Approving dissemination of remote sensing data and launch manifests.

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO):
Refocused on:

• Research and development of advanced space technologies, human spaceflight, and scientific missions.
• Transitioning operational space systems to industry partners.
• Providing open access to remote sensing data.
• Supporting collaboration between academia and industry.
• Facilitating long-term human presence in space.

NewSpace India Limited (NSIL):
The commercial arm of the Department of Space, responsible for:

• Commercializing space technologies developed by ISRO.
• Manufacturing and procuring space assets.
• Serving government and private sector clients on commercial terms.

Department of Space (DoS):
Functions as the policy coordinator by:

• Ensuring clear role distribution among all stakeholders.
• Overseeing the implementation of the space policy.
• Coordinating international cooperation and regulatory compliance.
• Ensuring operational safety and resolving disputes.
• Maintaining global standards and interoperability in navigation systems.

Significance

• Redefined ISRO’s role to prioritize innovation and research & development.
• Empowered private industry with comprehensive operational rights across the space sector.
• Established a clear, transparent, and well-structured regulatory framework.
• Aligned India’s space policy with international best practices and sustainability goals.