India is accelerating its space ambitions with the announcement of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS), a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) space station designed to establish a sustained human presence in space. The station aims to support medium- to long-duration human spaceflight missions and enable advanced scientific research and technology development in microgravity.
Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh revealed on Wednesday that the first module of BAS, known as BAS-01, is scheduled for launch in 2028. The station is expected to become fully operational by 2035. This milestone is part of a broader expansion of the Gaganyaan programme, which now includes precursor missions to BAS, reflecting India’s growing capabilities in human spaceflight.
In addition to the BAS project, the central government has been actively fostering private-sector participation in the space sector to drive innovation and large-scale investment. The Indian government estimates that the nation’s space economy, currently valued at $8.4 billion and representing 2-3% of the global market, has the potential to reach $44 billion by 2033, with private-sector involvement playing a crucial role in achieving this growth.
The liberalised space policy now allows non-governmental entities to undertake comprehensive space activities. To facilitate this, the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) was established to promote, authorise, and oversee private-sector involvement.
The government has implemented a range of initiatives to encourage private-sector growth. These include the Indian Space Policy 2023, which offers regulatory certainty for stakeholders, and a ₹1,000 crore venture capital fund dedicated to supporting space start-ups. IN-SPACe has also introduced various support schemes, including seed funding, mentorship, and skill development programmes, as well as facilitating technology transfers for small satellite launch vehicles and Earth observation systems.
The impact of these efforts is evident in the growth of space start-ups in India, which have increased from just one in 2014 to 266 today. IN-SPACe has signed 71 agreements with private entities, enabling them to contribute to the development of launch vehicles and satellites.
Additionally, initiatives such as public-private partnerships in Earth observation systems and revised FDI policies are further opening doors for foreign investment in the Indian space sector.
India’s Department of Space has also been advancing ground station capabilities. It has successfully developed a Tri-band Data Reception System that enables cost-effective tracking and data reception from remote sensing satellites. These capabilities have been leveraged to support 17 satellite and launch vehicle missions on a commercial basis.
The Department of Space has made Earth observation data widely accessible. Data with a spatial resolution of five metres is available for free, while higher-resolution data is offered at no cost to government entities and at fair prices to private players.
NSIL, ISRO’s commercial arm, has been providing tracking facilities and satellite data services to domestic and international clients as part of its “Ground Station as a Service” initiative. This reflects the increasing commercialisation of India’s space capabilities.
To streamline processes for private players, IN-SPACe is exploring the creation of a single-window interface for authorisations, approvals, and licences, aimed at reducing administrative hurdles for companies operating in the space sector.
