SOURCE: AFI
Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) announced a groundbreaking initiative to engage private companies in designing and developing small satellite bus platforms, aiming to reduce India’s reliance on imported space technology. The program, dubbed ‘Satellite Bus as a Service’ (SBaaS), invites Indian non-governmental entities (NGEs) to indigenously create modular satellite bus platforms for hosted payload applications, marking a significant step toward fostering innovation and self-reliance in India’s burgeoning space sector.
Formed in June 2020 under the Department of Space (DOS), IN-SPACe serves as a single-window nodal agency to promote, authorize, and supervise space-related activities by private players in India. The SBaaS initiative aligns with the Indian government’s broader push to open the space sector to non-governmental entities, encouraging private companies to participate in satellite manufacturing, launches, and ground systems development.
The Announcement of Opportunity (AO) issued by IN-SPACe calls for Indian firms to design and realize small satellite bus platforms, which are the structural and functional frameworks that support satellite payloads. These platforms provide power, propulsion, thermal control, and communication systems, enabling payloads—such as cameras, sensors, or scientific instruments—to operate in orbit. By developing standardized, modular bus platforms, IN-SPACe aims to streamline access to space for payload developers, reducing costs and time to orbit.
IN-SPACe has outlined a two-phase approach to support the realization of satellite bus platforms under the SBaaS program. In the first phase, private companies will focus on designing and developing the platforms, leveraging India’s engineering talent and technological capabilities. The second phase will involve testing and operationalizing these platforms to ensure they meet the rigorous demands of space missions. This structured approach is designed to foster collaboration between IN-SPACe and private entities, providing technical guidance and access to facilities to accelerate development.
Pawan Goenka, chairman of IN-SPACe, emphasized the transformative potential of the initiative, stating, “The Satellite Bus as a Service initiative is a pivotal step in democratizing access for India’s space sector. By enabling NGEs with this opportunity, we are aiming to push innovation and reduce our reliance on imports. Together, we are looking at making India a global service provider of small satellite-bus and hosted payload services.”
Rajeev Jyoti, technical director at IN-SPACe, added, “SBaaS is designed to bridge the gap between payload developers and satellite platforms. By providing a standardized, modular bus platform, we offer a cost-effective solution for in-orbit validation of diverse payloads. This initiative will accelerate the development cycle for emerging technologies and enhance India’s capabilities in delivering end-to-end space solutions.”
The SBaaS initiative is part of India’s broader strategy to increase its share in the global space economy, currently estimated at 2% but targeted to reach 10% with greater private sector involvement. By encouraging indigenous development of satellite bus platforms, India aims to reduce its dependence on foreign suppliers, which often come with high costs and geopolitical constraints. The program also positions India as a potential global hub for small satellite services, catering to both domestic and international clients in sectors like agriculture, defense, disaster management, and urban development.
The initiative comes at a time when India’s space sector is witnessing rapid growth, driven by startups and established companies alike. For instance, Larsen & Toubro (L&T), India’s largest private-sector defense manufacturer, is already assembling the country’s first privately built Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and building equipment for the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) deep space exploration programs. Similarly, startups like Digantara and PierSight are making strides in space surveillance and maritime intelligence, leveraging IN-SPACe’s support to access labs and mentorship.
The SBaaS program offers significant opportunities for Indian companies to innovate and compete globally. Standardized satellite bus platforms can lower barriers to entry for payload developers, enabling faster and more cost-effective access to space. This is particularly critical for small satellites, which are increasingly in demand for applications like Earth observation, communication, and scientific research. The initiative also aligns with India’s privatization push, which has eased foreign investment limits and allocated larger procurement budgets to private enterprises.
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