Abstract
India's space program has impressively evolved for the past 50 years to now coming of age with several New Space ventures looking to leverage the existing infrastructure developed with sustained government investments over the course of these decades. India now presents a supply chain of greater than 250 key suppliers who are facilitating the production of rockets and satellites, trained human resources, and the massive young talent pool available in the country to entrepreneurs to develop commercial space products and services leveraging this foundation.
Today there are greater than 50 new space startups in India that are looking to establish themselves not just as problem solvers within the country but to have their products and services compete in the global market. Problems such as inadequate capital availability for risk-taking have subsided with several local as well as international investors, having matured to invest in new space ventures based in India. We find ourselves amidst a very interesting period where several of these young companies who want to build, launch, and operate their fleet of satellites and rockets are challenging policymakers to update and innovate legacy instruments to support their growth and maturity of them as businesses.
This particular special issue provides unique insights from experts who have observed and contributed to the development of India's New Space activities. The readers are assured to get a deeper understanding of the inner workings of the evolving ecosystem in India's New Space activities. This special issue consists of well-rounded articles centered around the New Space theme covering all aspects of the space ecosystem, including entrepreneurship, technology hub development, policy landscape, and international cooperation.
I would also argue that New Space in India is not limited to technology entrepreneurship in itself; it is also seeing participation by scientists who are working outside the realm of traditional government research institutes and are trying to open up sectors such as astrobiology and astrotourism taking inspiration from the New Space spirit. I am certain that there are several lessons that all stakeholders involved in the development of space activities in India can learn from using suggestions made by each of the contributors in this special issue, which they can consider at this very moment to catalyze the rise of New Space actors from India.
Specific suggestions highlighted within each of the themes covered within the articles need serious consideration by policymakers for India to realize the full potential of New Space. This special issue will also stand as a mirror in a couple of decades so that readers can look back to understand how the ecosystem evolved in India.
I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Editor-in-Chief Dr. Ken Davidian and the entire team at the New Space journal for supporting this special edition on India. I am extremely grateful to all the authors who have contributed insights from their experience and expertise in working with all the stakeholders relevant to space activities in India. Please feel free to contact me to discuss any of the information within this special issue or to get in touch with any of the authors who have contributed to this special issue.