ISRO Chairman Advocates for Lowering Space Access Costs at India Space Congress 2024

ISRO Chairman Advocates for Lowering Space Access Costs at India Space Congress 2024

ISRO Chairman S. Somanath called for India to lower the cost of access to space in line with global trends during his speech at the third Annual India Space Congress (ISC) 2024. Held in the national capital, the three-day event, organized by SIA-India, features participation from over 300 global space organizations and 30 countries.

“ISRO has created significant space capability and talent in the country. It’s time for new actors to scale India’s space operations,” Somanath said at the event. He emphasized that reducing the cost of space access is crucial, noting that “Space can never be solely for business and economy; it must inspire generations to innovate for humanity.”

Somanath also highlighted the upcoming launch of the GSAT-20, a high-throughput Ka-band satellite with over 50 Gbps high bandwidth connectivity capacity, which signifies a step forward in India’s space capabilities.

Dr. Pawan Kumar Goenka, Chairman of IN-SPACe, added that India’s space startups are poised for growth following the implementation of the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy. He remarked on the enthusiasm within the private sector, noting that investments are looking highly positive, with the private space sector in India receiving $135 million in investment last year alone.

The ISC 2024 aims to showcase the innovative initiatives taken by space startups and their strategic foresight in investments, shaping the future of space exploration and technology.

Dr. Subba Rao Pavuluri, President of SIA-India, highlighted the integration of the Indian ecosystem into the global supply chain. “The Indian ecosystem is integrating into the global supply chain to bring the benefits of space to all, aiming to make India the hub of global satellite manufacturing,” he said.

The ISC 2024 stands as a testament to India’s growing role in the global space industry, focusing on innovation, investment, and international collaboration to drive the future of space exploration and technology.