Context:
On July 9, 2025, IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre), under the Department of Space, granted authorisation to Starlink to operate its satellite broadband services in India. This marks a significant regulatory step for Elon Musk’s SpaceX-owned Starlink, which has long awaited full clearance to launch operations in the country.
IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre)
- IN-SPACe, the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre, is an autonomous agency under the Department of Space (DoS) in India.
- Its primary role is to facilitate and regulate the participation of non-governmental entities (NGEs) in the space sector, acting as a bridge between private players and ISRO.
Importance of IN-SPACe Authorisation
- Allows Starlink to deploy its satellite constellation over Indian territory.
- Enables broadband coverage in remote and underserved areas lacking mobile infrastructure.
- A key step before commercial rollout of satellite internet services.
What Is Starlink?
- A low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network operated by SpaceX.
- Provides high-speed, low-latency internet globally, including in rural and remote locations.
- Particularly beneficial for geographies underserved by fiber or mobile networks.
