India achieved landmark growth in Outer space in April 2023

New Delhi: First, the approval of the Indian Space Policy 2023 is a significant development that will provide a clear regulatory framework for private companies looking to invest in the space sector. The policy's focus on privatization and increasing private sector participation in the space industry is a positive move towards making the sector more innovative and sustainable. It will help India compete more effectively in the global space industry.

Second, India's national space agency announced that it had completed the second of four experiments designed to get its robotic Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) space-ready. The successful completion of the Reusable Launch Vehicle Autonomous Landing Mission (RLV LEX) mission is a significant step towards making India's space launch capabilities more efficient and cost-effective. It also demonstrates India's technological prowess in the space sector.

RLV LEX mission was carried out by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in Karnataka. As part of the mission, the 21-foot-long (6.5 meters) space plane was airlifted by a Chinook helicopter, flown by the Indian Air Force, to an altitude of 4.5 kilometres and released mid-air.

Overall, these developments are a significant boost to India's already successful space program and will help the country achieve its goal of becoming an important player in the space industry.

Indian Space Policy 2023

The Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the much-needed Indian Space Policy 2023 on April 7th. It marks the beginning of a new era for private industries in space technology. The ISP brings much-needed clarity to the regulatory framework concerning a diverse range of activities in space industries, from remote sensing to deep-space exploration. The primary objective of this new space policy is to regulate and enhance private sector participation in the space sector, including increasing investments from private companies. The ISP strongly emphasizes privatization to promote innovation and sustainability in the space sector.

The space sector has remained within the confines of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) with full budgetary support from the government. The Indian space economy is valued at about $ 360 billion, about 2% of the global space market. The major policy decision was taken in June 2020; the government opened the space industry to the private sector.

The government also opened the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) 's facilities to the private sector for testing, tracking and telemetry, launch pads, and laboratories. It aimed to enable the private space industry to climb the value chain.

The entry of the private sector in the space sector would enable the ISRO to channel its focus on research and development of advanced space technologies.

What Indian Space Policy 2023 mean

The ISP will establish a single point of contact responsible for formulating all stakeholder policies and directives to ensure aerospace safety and control. Representatives from various agencies/ministries may participate in the Indian Space Policy 2023. With the growth of the ISP into commercial activity, the space environment will be regulated in compliance with international law and address multiple challenges facing the private sector. By institutionalizing the sector, the ISP aims to break the monopoly of the government-owned ISRO-driven space sector.

The policy also addresses the issue of liability in the event of any fallout or destruction of space assets. As a party to the Outer Space Treaty, the Liability Convention, and the Registration Convention, the government holds responsibility for any destruction or damage. Within the policy framework, the government aims to address the crucial issue of control and access to dual-use space technology or IP that may protect or threaten national security. Industry demands that IP be examined on a case-by-case basis. The policy will provide much-needed clarity on the regulatory framework concerning diverse activities ranging from remote sensing to deep-space exploration. Additionally, the policy directs and offers more significant opportunities, time, and resources to focus on deep-space scientific and technological research.

Lt. Gen. AK Bhatt (retd.), The Director General of the Indian Space Association said to the Financial Express, "This is a historic moment as the cabinet approved the Indian Space Policy 2023. It will pave the way forward with much-required clarity in space reforms and augment private industry participation to drive the space economy opportunity for the country."

Challenges

One of the outer space's most significant threats is its potential to become the next battlefield. As more countries increase their presence in outer space, the strategic environment becomes increasingly congested, contested, and competitive. The United Nations has warned that the peaceful domain of space is slowly but surely turning into a theatre of conflict, and much debate on international regulations is taking place.

The US, Russia, and China are already major players pursuing space dominance and viewing outer space as their domain for military power and strategic advantage. An outer space arms race is becoming a reality, with several countries using outer space for military purposes. Analysts and lawmakers urge nations not to deploy outer space weapons or use outer space objects to strike targets on Earth.

Many peace advocates call for an international ban on the arms race in outer space and the passing of a convention.

A conflict in outer space would have disastrous consequences and endanger all users and users, with dire consequences that could escalate swiftly into conflict or affect cybersecurity. For example, an increased number of satellites in orbit and the potential interference with the services they provide or possible accidents, collisions, or destruction may lead to suspicion. The blur between military and civilian use of satellites makes protecting and defending space assets and identifying threats more complicated.

Security from and in space is no longer a purely military and national issue but rather a multisectoral and global issue. There is an increasing demand that the future threat of space conflict requires the application of international humanitarian law, including principles of proportionality and precaution.