Number of Space Start-Ups have gone up from 1 in 2014 to 189 in 2023, says Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh

In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, Dr Jitendra Singh said that space industries and startups in India are now are striving to build their own satellites. These satellites will lead to the development of applications in agriculture, disaster management, environmental monitoring, and other areas.

New Delhi:The number of Space Start-Ups has gone up from just 1 in 2014 to 189 in 2023 as per the DPIIT Start-Up India Portal, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said on Thursday. The investment in Indian Space Start-Ups has increased to $ 124.7 Million, he said.

The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, said this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

Dr Jitendra Singh said, the government has announced the Indian Space Policy 2023, which enables end-to-end participation of Non-Governmental Entities (NGEs) in all domains of Space activities. He said, due to incentives and reform in the Space sector, the other major developments and impacts are as follows:

• Some NGEs launched their own satellites. Many other Space Industries and Start-Ups are also building their own Satellites & constellations. These satellites shall contribute to applications in Agriculture, Disaster Management, Environmental Monitoring, etc.
• One NGE launched their sub-orbital launch vehicle.
• A private launchpad and Mission Control Center was established within the ISRO campus for the first time by an NGE. Sub-orbital launch by NGE is scheduled shortly.
• Private companies are exploring satellite-based communication solutions. Private players are increasingly participating in space-based applications and services.
• Satellite integration and testing facilities are coming up in the private sector.
• The local manufacturing of the satellite subsystems and Ground systems is being taken up by the private sector.
• Indian private space companies are increasingly entering into collaborations and partnerships with international space organizations and companies.

It is expected that the private sector will take up independently end-to-end solutions in satellite manufacturing, launch vehicle manufacturing, provide satellite services, and manufacture ground systems. A true force multiplier.