SOURCE: AFI
In a significant move to boost the country’s Earth observation (EO) space economy, the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) has announced a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiative. Through an Expression of Interest (EOI) released on July 25th, IN-SPACe is inviting Indian companies to participate in the design, construction, and management of a space-based EO system.
This project represents a major leap forward for India’s space industry. Selected Indian entities (Non-Governmental Entities or NGEs in space terminology) will have the opportunity to design, build, and launch a constellation of satellites equipped with advanced imaging technologies. These satellites will operate in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and carry a combination of sensors, including panchromatic, multispectral, hyperspectral, and microwave capabilities.
The responsibilities of the chosen NGE will be extensive. They will oversee the entire lifecycle of the project, from initial design to data analysis. This includes:
- Designing and building the satellite constellation
- Launching the satellites using Indian launch vehicles
- Monitoring and controlling the health of the spacecraft
- Downloading payload data through their own ground stations or a Ground Stations as a Service (GSaaS) provider
- Processing the downloaded data and generating Analysis Ready Data (ARD) for diverse applications
Dr. Pawan Goenka, Chairman of IN-SPACe, sees this project as a crucial step towards building a robust and sustainable EO system in India. “This initiative,” he stated, “aims to create a self-reliant future for our nation’s Earth Observation capabilities, catering to the ever-growing demand for EO data.”
He further emphasized the potential for downstream commercial applications. “The advanced imaging technology employed in this satellite constellation is expected to unlock significant commercial potential,” Dr. Goenka explained. “This will lead to more competitive products and services utilizing the wealth of information gathered by the system.”
The EOI document is available for download on the IN-SPACe digital platform (www.inspace.gov.in). Companies interested in this groundbreaking opportunity are encouraged to visit the website and register for the upcoming pre-EOI conference scheduled for August 8th, 2024.