Categories: Science

Ban on import of communication satellites opens up opportunity: Isro chief

&lt;p class=&quot;p1&quot;&gt;The government&#039;s decision to ban the import of communication satellites throws up a huge opportunity for private players, said K. Sivan, Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) and Secretary, Department of Space.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;p1&quot;&gt;Speaking at the webinar on &#039;Unlocking India&#039;s Potential in Space Sector&#039; today, Sivan said the decision throws up a huge opportunity for private players, Isro and NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;p1&quot;&gt;Recently the government had banned the import of 101 defence items to make the Indian defence industry self-reliant and boost indigenization.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;p1&quot;&gt;The list of import embargoed items includes satellites like GSAT 7R, GSAT-6 Satellite Terminals and Communication Satellite GSAT-7C.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;p1&quot;&gt;Sivan also said the launch of small satellites also offers immense potential for the private sector and some private sector companies will soon realize their rockets.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;p1&quot;&gt;According to him, the private sector participation in the space sector is healthy as it increases diversity.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;p1&quot;&gt;Stressing that Isro is not being privatized Sivan said the space agency will look at research and development (R&amp;amp;D), capacity building, and facilitate private sector participation.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;p1&quot;&gt;He said the private sector will have to do its own R&amp;amp;D, funding, market studies and others while Isro will provide the technical knowhow while the proposed Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) will be the regulatory body for the private players in the space sector.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;p1&quot;&gt;According to Anand Mahindra, Chairman, Mahindra Group, the public-private-partnership (PPP) model is the way to go while unlocking potential in the space sector.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;p1&quot;&gt;He said cost efficiency, high-end engineering skill and frugal engineering will propel the Indian space sector. Mahindra urged the government to think and create structures and systems that were not there earlier.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;p1&quot;&gt;According to R. Umamaheswaran, Scientific Secretary, Isro, the Space Activities Bill has been submitted to the Prime Minister&#039;s Office (PMO) and inter-ministerial consultation will happen and the Cabinet will take a decision.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;p1&quot;&gt;He added the Satcom Policy, Remote Sensing Policy is being reviewed and a new Navigation Policy is being formulated.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;p1&quot;&gt;Mahima Datla, Managing Director, Biological E Ltd spoke about the PPP in the development of vaccines.&lt;/p&gt;.