Context: India has unveiled a state-of-the-art design facility in Ahmedabad to help startups in the space industry convert their innovative concepts into workable models. V. Somanath, the chairman of ISRO, inaugurated the Space Systems Design Lab of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) at Bopal near Ahmedabad.
More about the news:
- The IN-SPACe design lab is equipped with cutting-edge analysis and simulation software for IN-SPACe, which models, visualises, and optimises payload and spacecraft, ground station, and launch vehicle avionics.
- Lab resources will assist in creating prototypes with the fewest iterations possible, drastically lowering turnaround time and R&D expenses for start-ups.
- The lab is equipped with 16 workstations and high-performance multi-core (400 core) servers for computation.
IN-SPACe for a New India Space Sector
- In June 2020, the Indian government announced significant space reforms aimed at boosting the private sector space industry, including start-ups.
- Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe), an independent nodal organisation under the Department of Space (formally launched in June, 2022), is the focal point of the country’s space reforms.
- Purpose:
- Encourage, enable, authorise and supervise private firms and start-ups to engage in space operations.
- Tap into the vast untapped potential of the nation’s technical know-how and human resources.
- Provide private and non-governmental organisations the ability to conduct their own autonomous space operations.
VISION:
To promote the space economy in the nation, and empower non-governmental entities (NGEs) to participate in space operations for a resurgent AatmaNirbhar Bharat.
Organisational Structure of In-SPACe
- Headquarters: Ahmedabad, Gujarat
- IN-SPACe is operating with three directorates and a joint secretary
Functions
- The organization serves as the link between NGEs and ISRO and offers suggestions for improving the utilisation of India’s space assets and boosting space-based activities.
- To enable interested parties to carry out their space-related operations through IN-SPACe, and make use of already-existing ISRO infrastructure on both the ground and in space as well as data and scientific and technological resources.
- In collaboration with ISRO, the organisation will assess the expectations of private sector businesses, particularly educational institutions, and determine how to better meet those wants.
- The decisions of the organisation would be binding on- ISRO and private sector organisations. The organisation will concentrate on research and development, which was the core function of ISRO.
