Singh said, space reforms have unleashed the innovative potentials of startups….reports Asian Lite News
India will leverage space warfare, an emerging field, for its security, Union Minister of Science and Technology, Space and Atomic Energy, Dr Jitendra Singh said on Monday.
In his address at the India Space Conclave held in New Delhi on the occasion of the first anniversary of the Indian Space Association (ISpA), he, dwelling on the strategic relevance of space in view of recent global conflicts, said: “Space, a dual-use technology domain, is emerging as an important multi-faceted enabler that provides unprecedented reach.”
Singh said many nations are today focusing on developing their military space capabilities to ensure its safe, secure, and friendly use along with deterrence capability to deny it to adversaries, when necessary.
He said India too has resolved to leverage the strengths of this emerging dimension of warfare and in fact, Indian government is undertaking strong and decisive steps towards ensuring self reliance or Atma Nirbharta in the space sector.
Singh said, space reforms have unleashed the innovative potentials of startups.
Within a short span of time, from a couple of space startups three-four years back, today there are 102 startups working in cutting-edge areas of space debris management, nano-satellite, launch vehicle, ground systems, research and others, he noted.
Singh also unveiled a sector report titled “Developing the space ecosystem in India: focussing on inclusive growth” along with ISpA Chairman, Jayant D. Patil, and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman S. Somnath.
The Minister also informed that five PSLVs are being domestically produced by L&T and HAL, while OneWeb is all set to launch their satellites through ISRO and NSIL.
Singh said space reforms have unleashed the innovative potentials of startups and within a short span of time, “from a couple of space start-ups three-four years back, today we have 102 startups working in cutting-edge areas of space debris management, nano-satellite, launch vehicle, ground systems, research etc”.
With the integration of R&D, academia and industry with equal stake, it is safe to say that a Space Revolution led by ISRO along with the private sector and startups is on the horizon, the minister said.
Singh said, the strength and innovative potential of the country’s young and private industrial enterprise will take a lead in the global space technology disruption in times to come. He expressed hope that India’s young technology wizards shall breach new barriers in the field of space technology while they set out to address the limitless opportunities offered by the space domain.
The minister lauded the role of ISpA for marvellously working in developing and forming global linkages for the growth of the Indian space industry in a short span of one year. He said members of ISpA are continuously striving in undertaking policy advocacy and engaging in the reciprocation of knowledge and vision to make India a flag bearer in the sphere of space tech domain.
ISpA is acting as a major contributor toward supplementing the Indian Government’s endeavours to make India acquire a leading position in the arena of commercialised space-based excursions. He said for this ISpA’s role as a commune to deliberate interactions between the key stakeholders becomes a vital and critical one.
The minister hoped that ISpA keeping the motto of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ high will usher in important technological advancements and investments in the country which will eventually create high-skill job opportunities while following the government’s approach to space reforms.