New space policy soon; India can have its own 'SpaceX-like ventures': Sood

New Delhi Seeking to further increase private participation, the government will soon unveil a new s

Seeking to further increase private participation, the government will soon unveil a new space policy that could see the rise of India’s own “SpaceX-like ventures”, Principal Scientific Advisor Ajay Kumar Sood has said.

In an interview to PTI, the government’s top science advisor said consultations have taken place and the final version of the space policy would soon be referred to the Empowered Technology Group for further examination.

“Space policy is in the works. We have not been using it much, but the new technology of low earth orbit (LEO) satellites … that is a low cost game.

“There are a huge number of satellites in LEO. That will change the space sector,” said Mr. Sood, who assumed office on April 25.

He said the government will encourage manufacturing of satellites in the private sector for a range of applications from health care, agriculture to urban development and property tax estimation.

“We have not tapped the full potential of this sector. In 2022, the space sector is witnessing what the information technology sector experienced in the 1990s. We will have our own SpaceX in the next two years,” Mr. Sood said.

SpaceX, founded by Elon Musk in 2002, is a private space transportation company that designs, manufactures and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft.