SOURCE: AFI
In a significant move to bolster the country’s burgeoning space sector, the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) has granted permission to a domestic firm to establish a satellite ground station. This facility will be instrumental in tracking, communicating with, and monitoring satellites.
Commonly referred to as an earth station, a satellite ground station is crucial for Telemetry, Tracking, and Command (TT&C) operations. These stations track the satellite’s position, send commands for satellite maneuvers, assess its overall health, and download collected data.
According to Dr. P K Jain, Director of IN-SPACe’s Program Management and Authorization Directorate (PMAD), this authorization is a pivotal step in empowering Indian satellite operators. It will provide them with additional options for ground station services, particularly for UHF band operations.
While the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) maintains its own network of tracking facilities, the newly approved private ground station is poised to cater to both domestic and international clients. This development is expected to stimulate competition and innovation within the Indian space industry.