Context:
India’s Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (INSPACe) has launched a new initiative aimed at reducing the country’s import dependence and fostering innovation in the space sector. The Satellite Bus as a Service (SBaaS) program invites private companies to design and develop satellite bus platforms for small satellite missions, which will support multiple payload applications.
Key Highlights of the SBaaS Initiative
- Objective: The program is focused on enabling Indian private sector participation in satellite platform development, particularly for small satellite missions. The initiative aims to reduce reliance on foreign imports by developing modular, multimission satellite bus systems in India.
- Eligibility: The program is open to Indian non-governmental entities (NGEs). They will be responsible for designing, developing, and realizing satellite bus platforms capable of hosting various payloads.
- Phased Approach:
- Phase I: Up to four Indian NGEs will be shortlisted based on their technical capabilities. These entities will work on developing the satellite bus system.
- Phase II: INSPACe will support up to two hosted payload missions to demonstrate the utility and performance of the developed satellite platforms.
- Benefits: The initiative aims to:
- Democratize access to India’s space sector by enabling private players.
- Reduce time to orbit and facilitate in-orbit demonstrations of payloads.
- Bridge the gap between payload developers and satellite platform providers through standardized, modular platforms.
- Foster cost-effective solutions for payload validation and accelerate emerging technologies in the space industry.
Vision for India’s Space Sector
Pawan Goenka, Chairman of INSPACe, emphasized the importance of the SBaaS initiative in democratizing India’s space sector and positioning the country as a global service provider for small satellite bus and hosted payload services.
Rajeev Jyoti, Director of Technical Directorate at INSPACe, highlighted that this initiative would streamline access to flight platforms, making the development cycle for space technologies faster and more efficient.
India’s Space Industry
- India’s space sector has rapidly grown, with over 325 space startups operating in the country, up from just one a decade ago.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Mann Ki Baat broadcast, celebrated the country’s 50th anniversary of the launch of the Aryabhata satellite and recognized India’s leadership in providing a cost-effective and successful space program. He further stated that India is now poised to reach even greater heights in space exploration.
INSPACe’s SBaaS initiative marks a significant step toward making India a global leader in satellite services. By encouraging innovation and private sector involvement, India is reducing its dependency on imports while enhancing its space capabilities. This initiative not only supports the growth of emerging space technologies but also positions India as a hub for global satellite bus solutions in the years to come.
