Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre

The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre, IN-SPACe, is an autonomous, single-window agency under the Department of Space that enables non-government entities to undertake space activities in India. Its mandate combines promotion and facilitation of private participation with authorization and oversight of such activities.

Institutional mandate

Created as part of the 2020 space-sector reforms, IN-SPACe acts as the interface between non-government entities, the Department of Space and its organisations. Under the Indian Space Policy, 2023, it must promote, guide, hand-hold and authorize space activities within India.

• It seeks to provide a predictable regulatory interface and a level playing field for private participants.
• It assesses industry needs and supports the development of an indigenous space ecosystem.

Authorization and oversight

IN-SPACe authorizes space activities by non-government entities, subject to applicable laws and considerations of safety, national security and India's international obligations.

• Its authorization mandate covers the establishment and operation of space objects, including satellites.
• It covers the launch and operation of launch vehicles, establishment and operation of launch pads, and planned re-entry of space objects.
• It also covers relevant ground systems and other space-based services specified by government policy.
• It may monitor compliance with the conditions attached to an authorization.

Enabling private launch capability

IN-SPACe facilitates access by private entities to Department of Space facilities, technical infrastructure and expertise, according to prescribed procedures. This allows firms to test, qualify and operate launch systems without requiring immediate duplication of every public-sector facility.

• It promotes capacity-building, industry clusters, technology development and collaboration with academia.
• It complements ISRO's research and development role and NSIL's commercial role rather than functioning primarily as a launch-service operator.