Industry urges strong push for India’s next space sector leap

The third edition of Indian Space Conclave, hosted by the Indian Space Association (ISpA), kicked off today in New Delhi, gathering key figures from the government, industry, and academia to discuss the future of India’s space sector. The event, spanning three days, was inaugurated with a plenary session attended by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, ISRO Chairman Dr. S Somanath, European Union Ambassador Hervé Delphin, and ISpA leaders Jayant Patil and Lt. Gen. AK Bhatt.

Dr. Jitendra Singh announced an upcoming ISRO mission in partnership with the European Space Agency, highlighting India’s growing influence in international space missions. This joint mission with the EU, aimed at studying the Sun, is seen as a significant step towards strategic partnerships in space research and exploration. Dr. Singh also honoured space sector pioneers with ISpA Space Awards, recognizing the innovations shaping India’s space future.

The Conclave, held from November 5-7, is expected to attract over 1,500 attendees, including policymakers, business leaders, researchers, entrepreneurs, and students. Discussions will cover commercialization, global partnerships, satellite communications, and human spaceflight, with an emphasis on overcoming financing and manufacturing challenges in the Indian space sector. On the second day, sessions will focus on telecom and satellite communication, featuring speakers from the Department of Telecommunications and TRAI.

In his opening remarks, Jayant Patil, Chairman of ISpA, spoke about India’s evolving space economy, noting that space investments have added over $60 billion to the GDP in the past decade. He highlighted the role of ISRO and dynamic startups in this transformation, emphasizing the sector’s potential to generate jobs and stimulate economic growth as India advances toward its Vision 2047 goals.

Dr. S Somanath, Chairman of ISRO, outlined India’s long-term vision for space, aiming for a robust, self-reliant ecosystem with capabilities across satellite manufacturing, space exploration, and human spaceflight. With nearly 450 companies already contributing to space projects, he called for fresh talent and innovation from the private sector to realize India’s goals, including a historic lunar mission by 2040. Dr. Somanath emphasized the need for policies supporting data access and space-based applications to drive developments across industries like agriculture and finance.

European Union Ambassador Hervé Delphin underscored the strategic alliance between India and the EU in the space sector, with both regions focusing on autonomy in navigation, earth observation, and communication technologies. He spoke of India and the EU’s shared commitment to sustainable space governance, including managing space debris and enhancing space traffic protocols. This collaboration is set to expand, with high-level dialogues and joint initiatives paving the way for strengthened cooperation.

The Conclave’s sessions will also explore critical issues such as financing models, domestic manufacturing, and establishing a sustainable supply chain for the space sector. With an expanding ecosystem and increasing investments, the Conclave underscores India’s vision to lead in global space innovation and ensure a self-reliant, vibrant space sector.