The Indian government is taking strategic steps to rejuvenate its growing space startup sector by identifying more than 20 countries as potential markets for Indian space services. This initiative comes as the nation’s private space startups struggle with stagnating revenues.
Potential Markets
In collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (In-Space) has conducted a detailed survey to identify countries where Indian space startups can expand their services. According to two senior officials familiar with the matter, these countries are located in regions such as the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), South America, Eastern Europe, and Southeast Asia. The officials spoke on the condition.
The survey aims to highlight emerging markets for private space startups, particularly in countries seeking strategic applications like satellite imagery for agriculture, administrative planning, and environmental monitoring. This strategy represents a shift away from established markets like the United States, which offer fewer revenue opportunities for Indian startups.
The Department of Space (DoS) plans to guide startups based on the survey's findings, helping them navigate international expansion. However, the state-run Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will continue its collaborations with major space economies such as the US, Japan, and France, focusing on high-profile space missions.
Chaitanya Giri, an industry consultant from the Observer Research Foundation, praised the initiative, noting that ISRO’s limited capacity makes it beneficial for private firms to seize international opportunities. Pawan Goenka, chairman of In-Space, confirmed that the nodal space body is actively promoting Indian startups on the global stage.
Challenges in the Private Space Sector
Despite being liberalized , India’s private space sector is still facing revenue generation challenges. Many startups, still in the technology demonstration phase, struggle to compete with established players like Boeing and Arianespace. To address this, the DoS has suggested that startups form consortia to improve their market prospects.
With over 300 startups in a sector currently valued at $8 billion and projected to reach $44 billion by 2033, the global expansion strategy aims to not only fuel industry growth but also enhance India’s geopolitical influence in the space sector.
With inputs from agencies
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