Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre


Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre is an upcoming organisation under the Department of Space of the Government of India. The centre will act as a facilitator and regulator of space activities in India.

History

The establishment of IN–SPACe was announced in by the Minister of State for Space Jitendra Singh, with the Union Cabinet approving its creation. In the same month Secretary and chairperson of the Indian Space Research Organisation, Kailasavadivoo Sivan, said that it would take up to sixmonths to operationalise IN–SPACe, with the Department of Space handling its functions in the meantime.

Functions

IN–SPACe will act as a link between the Indian Space Research Organisation and private sector companies, assessing "how best to utilise India’s space resources and increase space-based activities." The centre will evaluate demands of private sector companies—including educational institutes—and will find ways to attune their demands, in consultation with ISRO. Sivan told that the centre's decisions would be binding on both ISRO and private sector organisations. The space sector was earlier regulated by ISRO, but, now the organisation will focus on its core activity of research and development.

Organisation

According to Secretary and chairperson of ISRO, Kailasavadivoo Sivan, IN–SPACe will be an autonomous body, parallel to ISRO with its own board—with some members from the private sector—and chairperson. The centre "will have its own directorates for technical, legal, safety and security, monitoring and activities promotion."