India's space sector sees 440 startups, 18 get IN-SPACe authorisations: Govt
New Delhi, Aug 13
Around 440 space technology startups are registered in India, while Indian private space companies are expected to undertake more than eight commercial rocket launches over the next two years, the government informed Parliament on Thursday.
In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh said the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)'s Start-up India portal has around 440 registered space technology startups.
The minister said the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) has granted 113 authorisations to 52 Non-Government Entities (NGEs) to undertake various space activities.
Of these, 18 are startups such as Agnikul Cosmos, Bellatrix Aerospace, Dhruva Space, Digantara Research and Technologies, GalaxEye Space Solutions, Manastu Space Technologies, PixxelSpace India, Skyroot Aerospace and Space Kidz India.
Other authorised startups include Akshath Aerospace, Azista BST, Cosmoserv Space India, HEX20Labs India, Inorbit Space Telecommunications, NSpace Tech India, OrbitAID Aerospace, PierSight Space and TakeMe2Space Technologies.
Moreover, the government said applications for usage and access to ISRO infrastructure, including launch pads at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota are processed through a standard operating procedure.
Applications received through IN-SPACe's digital platform are reviewed for readiness by an expert committee, it noted.
On commercial rocket launches by private companies, the minister said two launches are proposed during financial year 2026-27.
For 2027-28, the launch manifest is yet to be approved by IN-SPACe, but more than six launches by Indian private companies are expected during the year.
The government's response comes amid India's space sector increasingly opening up to private participation with startups and other non-government entities taking a larger role in satellite development, launch services and other space activities.
— IANS
Reader Comments
This is really encouraging to see. But I hope these startups don't just focus on launches—they need to build sustainable satellite ecosystems for communication, agriculture, and disaster management too. That's where the real impact will be for common people.
Great to see India embracing private space ventures! The pace of growth here is impressive. If the regulatory path stays clear, Indian startups could soon rival some of the big global players in cost-effective launches.
On paper it sounds great, but we need more transparency in how IN-SPACe authorisations are given. Some smaller startups still complain about slow approvals. Hope that improves as the ecosystem matures.
Proud moment for every Indian! From launching rockets from a church in Kerala to hundreds of private startups—what a journey. The sky is no longer the limit, it's just the beginning! 🚀
Fascinating to see the private space race heating up globally. India's approach of blending ISRO's proven expertise with startup agility looks like a winning formula. 8 commercial launches in 2 years is a solid start.
Good news, but where are the employment numbers? Yes, space tech is booming, but we should also track how many direct and indirect jobs these startups are
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