RT team
IN-SPACe has partnered with the Karnataka government to strengthen India’s private space ecosystem through two significant agreements. The collaboration focuses on establishing a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for space technology in Bengaluru and setting up a space manufacturing park to support satellite and launch vehicle production.
The CoE will act as a hub for innovation, research, and the development of cutting-edge technologies, while the manufacturing park will cater to the industrial needs of the growing private space sector. These initiatives aim to transform Karnataka into a key destination for spacetech startups and private players, leveraging the state’s existing infrastructure and ecosystem.
The agreement was formalized by senior officials from IN-SPACe and Karnataka’s Department of IT, highlighting a mutual commitment to accelerating space-related advancements. The state will also benefit from collaboration with established public sector entities such as ISRO, HAL, BEL, and other research organizations that have long anchored India’s space achievements.
This move aligns with the Indian Space Policy of 2023, which encourages increased private sector participation and fosters collaboration between government agencies and private enterprises. IN-SPACe, established in 2020, serves as a nodal agency to authorize and support private space activities in India, and this partnership is a strategic step in realizing that mandate.
The new projects come amid a broader push by IN-SPACe to stimulate private investment and innovation in space. In recent months, the agency has launched several funding and support initiatives, including a satellite bus-as-a-service (SBaaS) program to help startups develop and launch satellites. Additionally, a ₹1,000 crore spacetech startup fund was announced in the Union Budget for 2024–25, with SIDBI Venture Capital appointed as fund manager. IN-SPACe has also introduced a ₹500 crore technology adoption fund offering up to ₹25 crore per project.
In a further show of ambition, the agency is planning a constellation of Earth observation satellites in low Earth orbit, with multiple companies reportedly shortlisted for the ₹1,500 crore initiative. These developments mark a decisive shift in India’s approach to space, positioning the private sector as a vital engine of growth and innovation.
