WIth private companies investing in space exploration, the Indian government has decided it will allow the private sector to use the facilities of Indian Space Research and Organisation (ISRO) either free or at a reasonable cost for carrying out various space sector related activities, the Times Of India reported.
Space exploration is expensive and it requires infrastructure and facilities for research and development, integration and testing, space launch, satellite operations and control. ISRO will be able to provide a platform for private companies working in space technology.
As per ISRO, “These facilities are already established and functional in ISRO. A mechanism is to be created for sharing of capital intensive Department of Space (DOS) owned facilities and premises by the private sector”.
ISRO has suggested that in order to encourage the participation of non-government private entities, a suitable mechanism will be worked out for promotion and hand-holding, sharing of technology and expertise.
“To encourage the active participation of the private sector, a national-level nodal agency is necessary to promote, handhold, permit, monitor and supervise space activities by private sector and accord necessary permissions as per the regulatory provisions, exemptions and statutory guidelines”, it added.
To accomplish this, an Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) is being established. This will be an independent nodal agency under the Space Department and will allow space activities, exploration and usage of its facilities by the private sector.