IN-SPACe:
The Tamil Nadu Cabinet recently approved a Space Industrial Policy, making it the third Indian state, after Karnataka and Gujarat, to promote growth in the space ecosystem and attract investments.
- IN-SPACe is a single-window, independent, autonomous agency under the Department of Space (DoS) created as part of India’s space sector reforms.
- It aims to enable, promote, authorise, and supervise the participation of Non-Governmental Entities (NGEs) in various space activities.
- These include the development of launch vehicles and satellites, space-based services, and the utilisation or co-development of infrastructure controlled by ISRO and DoS.
- IN-SPACe functions as an interface between ISRO and private players, helping them access India’s space ecosystem and guiding their integration into national goals.
- It also assesses the requirements of private entities, educational institutions, and startups to facilitate research, design, and innovation in the space sector.
- The headquarters of IN-SPACe is located at Bopal, Ahmedabad.
- Tamil Nadu already hosts major ISRO infrastructure, such as the ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC) at Mahendragiri, Tirunelveli, where cryogenic and liquid propulsion systems are tested.
- ISRO is setting up India’s second spaceport at Kulasekarapattinam in Thoothukudi, which will significantly enhance satellite launch capabilities.
- The state is home to numerous space startups working in advanced areas like reusable launch vehicles, in-space manufacturing, in-orbit refuelling, and satellite data analytics.
- The Space Technology Incubation Centre (STIC) at NIT Trichy supports southern-region ISRO projects and innovation-led academic collaborations.
