The rocket stage that hit the Moon on August 5 did not choose its target. Nobody was steering it. It had no fuel, no engine power and no plan. Travelling at about 8,700 kilometres per hour, the spent upper stage of a SpaceX Falcon 9 — leftover from the January 2025 launch of a lunar lander — struck the far edge of the Moon near Einstein crater, most likely throwing up a plume of dust and digging a fresh hole in the surface.&nbsp;It is a dramatic picture. But the real lesson is much closer to home, right above our heads.&nbsp;At this moment, more than 33,000 objects are being tracked in orbit around the Earth, moving at roughly 28,000 kilometres per hour. That is only what we can see and follow. Countless smaller bits are invisible to our instruments.&nbsp;A new study, The Space Debris Report (<a href="https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.accu.co.uk%2Fp%2F525-the-space-debris-report&amp;data=05%7C02%7CAjaypal.Choudhary%40wionews.com%7C1c16254212514d43d7f308def2d7800f%7Cd9454a4401f64fa99ad115ee73b1b80d%7C0%7C0%7C639215204536441993%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=reu8xRdPWXH6wzofGn6G99Yt5RrM5rkLTVmw2eh1wIQ%3D&amp;reserved=0">https://www.accu.co.uk/p/525-the-space-debris-report</a>), published by Accu Components, a precision engineering components supplier, has put numbers to this mess. The figures come from the Space-Track catalogue maintained by the US Space Surveillance Network, analysed by Accu, along with European Space Agency data showing about 15,800 tonnes of material trapped in orbit as of early 2026. Public catalogues today show slightly higher totals, since launches keep adding to the count month by month.&nbsp;Break the 33,269 tracked objects down and the picture becomes clearer. Of these, 17,682 are payloads, meaning working or dead satellites. Another 2,396 are rocket bodies — exactly the same category as the Falcon 9 stage that hit the Moon. A huge 12,550 are debris fragments, and 641 are unassigned.That means nearly 47 per cent of all tracked objects are junk. And since many satellites counted as payloads have stopped working, the real share of useless, uncontrollable objects is even higher. Put simply, for every 10 satellites in orbit there are 7 tracked pieces of rubbish.&nbsp;Why should this worry an ordinary person on the ground? Because these satellites are not distant toys. They run your phone's GPS, your weather forecasts, your television signal and, increasingly, your internet. A single collision can end a mission in a second.&nbsp;And size does not protect you. A tiny fleck of paint once chipped a window on the International Space Station. At orbital speed, even a small chip hits like a bullet. That is why spacecraft today must be built with heavier shielding and greater tolerance to impacts, which adds cost and weight to every launch.The most worrying part is that the problem feeds itself. Emily Sacchi, Aerodynamics Engineer at the Bath University Rocketry Team, warns that even if all launches stopped today, debris levels would keep rising, because collisions and break-ups create new fragments faster than old ones fall back and burn up.&nbsp;Who is responsible? The data shows the load is not shared equally, largely because of how long each actor has been launching and a few unusual events. Three actors account for 96 per cent of the 12,550 debris objects in orbit — China, the CIS (the former Soviet states) and the United States together account for 12,041 of them.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-hits-back-at-us-after-fresh-tariffs-blacklists-six-firms-curbs-drone-exports-1785925926486">China hits back at US after fresh tariffs, blacklists six firms, curbs drone exports</a>&nbsp;China's share comes largely from its 2007 anti-satellite weapons test, widely seen as one of the worst debris-creating events in the history of spaceflight. Thousands of fragments from that single test are still circling the Earth. The CIS figure reflects decades of Soviet-era activity. The American figure comes from a very long launch history plus the 2009 crash between the dead Russian satellite Kosmos 2251 and the working Iridium 33 satellite. That accident alone produced thousands of pieces, and hundreds were still in orbit more than a decade later.&nbsp;There is another useful way to read the data — the debris intensity score, meaning the number of debris objects in orbit for every active satellite an operator has. The global average is 0.71. China, France and the CIS have the highest scores, running three to five times above average, with China at close to 4. The European Space Agency, Canada, Germany and the UK show near-zero scores, suggesting a cleaner way of working.&nbsp;Solutions are being built. Under the idea of Active Debris Removal, engineers are testing laser brooms, magnetic capture systems and other methods to pull dead objects down. Ben Imber, Project Lead at Sheffield Hallam's Rocketry Team, says bigger organisations are already designing satellites that burn up fully on re-entry, or that plan their own exit path at the end of life.&nbsp;But he adds a caution. The field is still new and mostly limited to larger players. With many new companies entering, he says a common agreement or inspection process is needed as low Earth orbit becomes crowded.&nbsp;One question remains open. When debris burns up on re-entry, it does not vanish — it leaves fine metallic particles high in the atmosphere. Scientists are watching this closely because such particles may affect the ozone layer and cloud formation, and nobody yet knows how much the atmosphere can absorb.&nbsp;The Moon crash was the same story, only where we could see it plainly. Up there, one abandoned rocket found an empty crater. Down here, thousands of them are still circling — among satellites we use every day.

The Moon crash has highlighted the growing threat of space debris, with tens of thousands of objects orbiting Earth and raising concerns over satellite safety, future space missions and the long-term sustainability of space activities.

The rocket stage that hit the Moon on August 5 did not choose its target. Nobody was steering it. It had no fuel, no engine power and no plan. Travelling at about 8,700 kilometres per hour, the spent upper stage of a SpaceX Falcon 9 — leftover from the January 2025 launch of a lunar lander — struck the far edge of the Moon near Einstein crater, most likely throwing up a plume of dust and digging a fresh hole in the surface. It is a dramatic picture. But the real lesson is much closer to home, right above our heads. At this moment, more than 33,000 objects are being tracked in orbit around the Earth, moving at roughly 28,000 kilometres per hour. That is only what we can see and follow. Countless smaller bits are invisible to our instruments. A new study, The Space Debris Report (https://www.accu.co.uk/p/525-the-space-debris-report), published by Accu Components, a precision engineering components supplier, has put numbers to this mess. The figures come from the Space-Track catalogue maintained by the US Space Surveillance Network, analysed by Accu, along with European Space Agency data showing about 15,800 tonnes of material trapped in orbit as of early 2026. Public catalogues today show slightly higher totals, since launches keep adding to the count month by month. Break the 33,269 tracked objects down and the picture becomes clearer. Of these, 17,682 are payloads, meaning working or dead satellites. Another 2,396 are rocket bodies — exactly the same category as the Falcon 9 stage that hit the Moon. A huge 12,550 are debris fragments, and 641 are unassigned. That means nearly 47 per cent of all tracked objects are junk. And since many satellites counted as payloads have stopped working, the real share of useless, uncontrollable objects is even higher. Put simply, for every 10 satellites in orbit there are 7 tracked pieces of rubbish. Why should this worry an ordinary person on the ground? Because these satellites are not distant toys. They run your phone's GPS, your weather forecasts, your television signal and, increasingly, your internet. A single collision can end a mission in a second. And size does not protect you. A tiny fleck of paint once chipped a window on the International Space Station. At orbital speed, even a small chip hits like a bullet. That is why spacecraft today must be built with heavier shielding and greater tolerance to impacts, which adds cost and weight to every launch. The most worrying part is that the problem feeds itself. Emily Sacchi, Aerodynamics Engineer at the Bath University Rocketry Team, warns that even if all launches stopped today, debris levels would keep rising, because collisions and break-ups create new fragments faster than old ones fall back and burn up. Who is responsible? The data shows the load is not shared equally, largely because of how long each actor has been launching and a few unusual events. Three actors account for 96 per cent of the 12,550 debris objects in orbit — China, the CIS (the former Soviet states) and the United States together account for 12,041 of them. Also Read: China hits back at US after fresh tariffs, blacklists six firms, curbs drone exports China's share comes largely from its 2007 anti-satellite weapons test, widely seen as one of the worst debris-creating events in the history of spaceflight. Thousands of fragments from that single test are still circling the Earth. The CIS figure reflects decades of Soviet-era activity. The American figure comes from a very long launch history plus the 2009 crash between the dead Russian satellite Kosmos 2251 and the working Iridium 33 satellite. That accident alone produced thousands of pieces, and hundreds were still in orbit more than a decade later. There is another useful way to read the data — the debris intensity score, meaning the number of debris objects in orbit for every active satellite an operator has. The global average is 0.71. China, France and the CIS have the highest scores, running three to five times above average, with China at close to 4. The European Space Agency, Canada, Germany and the UK show near-zero scores, suggesting a cleaner way of working. Solutions are being built. Under the idea of Active Debris Removal, engineers are testing laser brooms, magnetic capture systems and other methods to pull dead objects down. Ben Imber, Project Lead at Sheffield Hallam's Rocketry Team, says bigger organisations are already designing satellites that burn up fully on re-entry, or that plan their own exit path at the end of life. But he adds a caution. The field is still new and mostly limited to larger players. With many new companies entering, he says a common agreement or inspection process is needed as low Earth orbit becomes crowded. One question remains open. When debris burns up on re-entry, it does not vanish — it leaves fine metallic particles high in the atmosphere. Scientists are watching this closely because such particles may affect the ozone layer and cloud formation, and nobody yet knows how much the atmosphere can absorb. The Moon crash was the same story, only where we could see it plainly. Up there, one abandoned rocket found an empty crater. Down here, thousands of them are still circling — among satellites we use every day.

The Moon crash has highlighted the growing threat of space debris, with tens of thousands of objects orbiting Earth and raising concerns over satellite safety, future space missions and the long-term sustainability of space activities.

Today's Moon crash: A warning we can't ignore

Indian finance ministry notified amendments to the foreign direct investment (FDI) policy in the space sector in order to attract offshore investors. The amendment has been made through a gazette notification dated April 16, 2024.&nbsp;

It prescribes a liberalised entry route and provides clarity for FDI in satellites, launch vehicles and associated systems or subsystems, creation of spaceports for launching and receiving Spacecraft and manufacturing of space-related components and systems.&nbsp;

"These rules may be called the Foreign Exchange Management (Non-debt Instruments) (Third Amendment) Rules, 2024," the gazette notification said.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/indias-first-olympic-studies-and-research-centre-to-open-in-gujarat-712256">India’s first Olympic Studies and Research Centre to open in Gujarat</a>&nbsp;

This comes ahead of Elon Musk's visit to India, where he is expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Possibly, he will also hold meetings with space startups. As per reports, approvals for Musk's satellite internet project, Starlink, are close to finalisation.&nbsp;

Also, FDI up to 49 per cent is allowed for launch vehicles and associated systems or subsystems, and the creation of spaceports for launching and receiving spacecraft are under automatic route. However, beyond 49 per cent it needs a government nod.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/elon-musks-x-blocks-certain-posts-in-india-till-election-concludes-712309">Elon Musk’s X blocks certain posts in India till election concludes</a>&nbsp;

The latest Finance Ministry notification stated that 100 per cent FDI has been allowed for the space sector category of manufacturing and operation of satellites, satellite data products, and ground segment and user segment.&nbsp;

Up to 74 per cent are allowed under automatic route. However, beyond 74 per cent, these activities are under the government route. The FDI policy in the space sector was&nbsp;eased by the government by prescribing liberalised FDI thresholds for various sub-sectors/activities under the Indian Space Policy 2023. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Indian finance ministry notified amendments to the foreign direct investment (FDI) policy in the space sector in order to attract offshore investors. The amendment has been made through a gazette notification dated April 16, 2024.

Indian finance ministry notified amendments to the foreign direct investment (FDI) policy in the space sector in order to attract offshore investors. The amendment has been made through a gazette notification dated April 16, 2024. It prescribes a liberalised entry route and provides clarity for FDI in satellites, launch vehicles and associated systems or subsystems, creation of spaceports for launching and receiving Spacecraft and manufacturing of space-related components and systems. "These rules may be called the Foreign Exchange Management (Non-debt Instruments) (Third Amendment) Rules, 2024," the gazette notification said. Also read: India’s first Olympic Studies and Research Centre to open in Gujarat This comes ahead of Elon Musk's visit to India, where he is expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Possibly, he will also hold meetings with space startups. As per reports, approvals for Musk's satellite internet project, Starlink, are close to finalisation. Also, FDI up to 49 per cent is allowed for launch vehicles and associated systems or subsystems, and the creation of spaceports for launching and receiving spacecraft are under automatic route. However, beyond 49 per cent it needs a government nod. Also read: Elon Musk’s X blocks certain posts in India till election concludes The latest Finance Ministry notification stated that 100 per cent FDI has been allowed for the space sector category of manufacturing and operation of satellites, satellite data products, and ground segment and user segment. Up to 74 per cent are allowed under automatic route. However, beyond 74 per cent, these activities are under the government route. The FDI policy in the space sector was eased by the government by prescribing liberalised FDI thresholds for various sub-sectors/activities under the Indian Space Policy 2023. (With inputs from agencies)

Ahead of Elon Musk's visit, India notifies new FDI rules for space sector

Industry bodies from India and Australia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Wednesday (February 7) aimed at furthering co-operation between space sectors of both the countries. The space economy, currently pegged to be worth USD 450 billion is expected to see rapid growth in coming years with more private players entering the field in addition to traditional space agencies run by governments.

The MoU is between the Satcom Industry Association-India (SIA-India) and the Space Industry Association of Australia (SIAA). This has established a platform for the exchange of expertise and the formulation of best practices in critical areas of space and defence. The MoU was inked in the presence of the Indian Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan and the Australian High Commissioner to India, Philip Green.&nbsp;

"Recent developments between India and Australia in the space sector, including collaborative satellite projects, data sharing for weather monitoring, and joint research initiatives, showcase a promising era of partnership. Initiatives like Australia’s ISI fund, aimed at space sector partnerships, aligns with our shared vision," said Anil Prakash, Director General, SIA-India.

Watch | Indian President Droupadi Murmu takes metro ride in Delhi

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This agreement was signed during the 'DefSat Conference &amp; Expo', where India, a key player in defence and space domains is poised to chart a roadmap for a modern and future-ready sector. The timing of this pact between the space industry bodies of both nations, aligns with the Indo-Pacific and Quad partnerships between India and Australia, signifying the potential for cooperation to advance shared interests.&nbsp;

"It enables the creation of business-to-business partnerships, facilitates capacity building, promotes skill development, and drives research and development initiatives. Our partnership with SIAA aims to foster innovation, facilitate knowledge exchange, and unlock business opportunities, thereby contributing to the overall growth of the global space sector," said Dr. Subba Rao Pavuluri, President, SIA-India.&nbsp;

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In line with this commitment to fostering international collaborations and advancing the global space sector, both SIA-India and SIAA are actively participating in key space events. In June 2024, SIAA will take part in the Indian Space Congress, where industry leaders, policymakers, and experts will come together to discuss the latest trends, innovations, and collaborative opportunities in the space domain.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/rocks-found-in-antarctica-suggest-an-asteroid-may-have-exploded-over-the-continent-25-million-years-ago-687777">An asteroid exploded over Antarctica 2.5 million years ago, rocky evidence suggests</a>

Later in the year, SIA-India will take part in the International Astronautical Congress in Sydney, where Indian and Australian delegations will unite in pioneering space collaboration. This global event will serve as a platform for exchanging insights, fostering partnerships, and showcasing advancements in space technology and delivering on the theme of ‘Sustainable Space: Resilient Earth’.

"Our respective space sectors are aligned in efforts to create space technology and services which have a meaningful impact for lives here on Earth. Across both space sectors there is a keen interest from private capital to back an emerging sector. Emerging companies are harnessing a talent pool of young, educated, hard-working and enthusiastic workers building technology at an incredible rate and scale," said Jeremy Hallett, Executive Chairman of SIAA.

Industry bodies from India and Australia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Wednesday (February 7) aimed at furthering co-operation between space sectors of both the countries.

Industry bodies from India and Australia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Wednesday (February 7) aimed at furthering co-operation between space sectors of both the countries. The space economy, currently pegged to be worth USD 450 billion is expected to see rapid growth in coming years with more private players entering the field in addition to traditional space agencies run by governments. The MoU is between the Satcom Industry Association-India (SIA-India) and the Space Industry Association of Australia (SIAA). This has established a platform for the exchange of expertise and the formulation of best practices in critical areas of space and defence. The MoU was inked in the presence of the Indian Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan and the Australian High Commissioner to India, Philip Green. "Recent developments between India and Australia in the space sector, including collaborative satellite projects, data sharing for weather monitoring, and joint research initiatives, showcase a promising era of partnership. Initiatives like Australia’s ISI fund, aimed at space sector partnerships, aligns with our shared vision," said Anil Prakash, Director General, SIA-India. Watch | Indian President Droupadi Murmu takes metro ride in Delhi × This agreement was signed during the 'DefSat Conference & Expo', where India, a key player in defence and space domains is poised to chart a roadmap for a modern and future-ready sector. The timing of this pact between the space industry bodies of both nations, aligns with the Indo-Pacific and Quad partnerships between India and Australia, signifying the potential for cooperation to advance shared interests. "It enables the creation of business-to-business partnerships, facilitates capacity building, promotes skill development, and drives research and development initiatives. Our partnership with SIAA aims to foster innovation, facilitate knowledge exchange, and unlock business opportunities, thereby contributing to the overall growth of the global space sector," said Dr. Subba Rao Pavuluri, President, SIA-India. Also Read | India: First commercial patient declared ‘cancer-free’ using indigenous CAR-T cell therapy In line with this commitment to fostering international collaborations and advancing the global space sector, both SIA-India and SIAA are actively participating in key space events. In June 2024, SIAA will take part in the Indian Space Congress, where industry leaders, policymakers, and experts will come together to discuss the latest trends, innovations, and collaborative opportunities in the space domain. Also Read | An asteroid exploded over Antarctica 2.5 million years ago, rocky evidence suggests Later in the year, SIA-India will take part in the International Astronautical Congress in Sydney, where Indian and Australian delegations will unite in pioneering space collaboration. This global event will serve as a platform for exchanging insights, fostering partnerships, and showcasing advancements in space technology and delivering on the theme of ‘Sustainable Space: Resilient Earth’. "Our respective space sectors are aligned in efforts to create space technology and services which have a meaningful impact for lives here on Earth. Across both space sectors there is a keen interest from private capital to back an emerging sector. Emerging companies are harnessing a talent pool of young, educated, hard-working and enthusiastic workers building technology at an incredible rate and scale," said Jeremy Hallett, Executive Chairman of SIAA.

Space industry bodies from India and Australia ink pact to further cooperation

The Indian Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) has unveiled a promising outlook for India's space economy, forecasting it to reach $44 billion by 2033, a remarkable surge from the current $8.4 billion.&nbsp;

With India accounting for just 2 per cent of the global space market, IN-SPACe aims to significantly enhance its position, targeting 8 per cent of the worldwide market share by 2033, including $11 billion in exports over the next decade.&nbsp;

Pawan Goenka, Chairman of IN-SPACe, shared these insights during the recent presentation, emphasising the potential for India's space ecosystem.&nbsp;

These projections also align with IN-SPACe's goal to increase domestic market share to $33 billion and export share to $11 billion by 2033, requiring an estimated $22 billion in investments over the next 10 years.&nbsp;

According to reports, to achieve this visionary target, IN-SPACe's comprehensive approach centres around ten key strategic capabilities, encompassing demand generation, earth observation, communication and navigation platforms, research and development, and international collaboration, among others .This multifaceted strategy seeks to fortify India's position in the global space economy while promoting participation from non-governmental entities.&nbsp;

Furthermore, IN-SPACe has outlined its vision for a specialised launch centre dedicated to small satellites within the private sector, expected to become operational in Tuticorin within two years. Although Isro's rockets won't launch from this centre due to its smaller scale compared to the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, it marks a significant step toward supporting private sector involvement in space activities.&nbsp;

IN-SPACe's grand vision extends to strengthening the NavIC constellation and expanding its market reach in the Indian Ocean Region. It also focuses on enhancing India's space education and skill transfer programs to nurture talent and expertise. The establishment of a space outreach wing will further assess value propositions, prioritise sectors, and boost awareness within the space ecosystem.&nbsp;

These initiatives are part of IN-SPACe's comprehensive strategy to shape India's space economy and solidify its standing on the global stage. &nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

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The Indian Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) has unveiled a promising outlook for India's space economy, forecasting it to reach $44 billion by 2033, a remarkable surge from the current $8.

The Indian Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) has unveiled a promising outlook for India's space economy, forecasting it to reach $44 billion by 2033, a remarkable surge from the current $8.4 billion. With India accounting for just 2 per cent of the global space market, IN-SPACe aims to significantly enhance its position, targeting 8 per cent of the worldwide market share by 2033, including $11 billion in exports over the next decade. Pawan Goenka, Chairman of IN-SPACe, shared these insights during the recent presentation, emphasising the potential for India's space ecosystem. These projections also align with IN-SPACe's goal to increase domestic market share to $33 billion and export share to $11 billion by 2033, requiring an estimated $22 billion in investments over the next 10 years. According to reports, to achieve this visionary target, IN-SPACe's comprehensive approach centres around ten key strategic capabilities, encompassing demand generation, earth observation, communication and navigation platforms, research and development, and international collaboration, among others .This multifaceted strategy seeks to fortify India's position in the global space economy while promoting participation from non-governmental entities. Furthermore, IN-SPACe has outlined its vision for a specialised launch centre dedicated to small satellites within the private sector, expected to become operational in Tuticorin within two years. Although Isro's rockets won't launch from this centre due to its smaller scale compared to the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, it marks a significant step toward supporting private sector involvement in space activities. IN-SPACe's grand vision extends to strengthening the NavIC constellation and expanding its market reach in the Indian Ocean Region. It also focuses on enhancing India's space education and skill transfer programs to nurture talent and expertise. The establishment of a space outreach wing will further assess value propositions, prioritise sectors, and boost awareness within the space ecosystem. These initiatives are part of IN-SPACe's comprehensive strategy to shape India's space economy and solidify its standing on the global stage. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

India's space economy set to soar to $44 billion by 2033: IN-SPACe chairman 

The Indian space industry witnessed significant growth in recent times. And the year 2022 was indeed a success story as the industry achieved remarkable milestones under the guidance of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

The Indian space industry witnessed significant growth in recent times. And the year 2022 was indeed a success story as the industry achieved remarkable milestones under the guidance of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). When it comes to the space industry, India will remember 2022 as a year that had a high percentage of successful launches. Besides that, India also saw the biggest commercial launch, leasing launch vehicles to private corporations, and launching rocket and satellite payloads for Indian corporate entities. Several factors have played their parts when it comes to the Indian space industry and its substantial growth. But there's no denying the fact that privatisation of the Indian space sector opened new doors with many opportunities. ALSO READ | 100+ Indian space-sector start-ups have raised nearly $250mn in funding: Industry body As part of changes to boost commercial participation in the space sector, the government launched a new organisation, Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe), in June 2020. Through IN-SPACe, an organisation inside the Department of Space, the Indian government allowed private actors to participate in space exploration. The government established NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) to increase the participation of Indian Industries in undertaking high-tech space-related operations. Lt. Gen. AK Bhatt (Retd), who is the director general of the Indian Space Association (ISpA), said that as we look back at the year 2022, the "industry witnessed some major milestones in the growth journey of the private sector with NSIL authorising the space conglomerate formed by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and HAL an Rs 860-crore contract for the commercial development of next 5 Polar Satellite Launch Vehicles (PSLVs) and the pact of OneWeb with NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) to launch LEO satellites from India and signing the first license contract with DoT for satellite broadband followed by the successful launch of 36 LEO satellites from Sriharikota". He thanked the government for the steps taken to better the industry, and said that "the growth achieved by India's private space industry is the result of the landmark decision taken by our Hon'ble PM Narendra Modi in 2020 to open our space industry to private sector". ALSO READ | UAE's maiden lunar rover 'Rashid' has an Indian connect The global space industry is estimated to be worth $440 billion and is expected to reach over $1 trillion by 2040, according to Morgan Stanley. Such growth will present massive opportunities for organisations across the world. According to the Indian government statistics, India's share in the global space industry is less than three per cent. But according to a joint report by Ernst & Young (EY) and ISpA, the Indian space economy is expected to reach $12.8466 billion by 2025. Lt. Gen. AK Bhatt (Retd) pointed out all the noteworthy achievements that happened in 2022: -The launch of the first Private Launch Vehicle from Skyroot this year has made significant strides in the growth of the private space industry. -Rising Indian space startups like Pixxel launched the third hyperspectral satellite ‘Anand’ for Earth observation applications following the launch of ‘Shakuntala’ earlier this year. -Dhruva Space, a space firm aimed at developing full-stack space engineering solutions, successfully validated its Satellite Orbital Deployer during the PSLV C53 mission and subsequently launched two nanosatellites for amateur communications in PSLV C54 using the P-dot satellite platform. -Digantara, an aerospace company based out in Bengaluru, Karnataka, built the world’s first commercial space weather sensor -Agnikul Cosmos under the aegis of IN-SPACe established India’s first private space vehicle launchpad at Sriharikota. He said that these "strides by the startups and young entrepreneurs will encourage technology development in space for defence applications through 75 Defence Space Challenges", also known as Mission DefSpace which was launched by PM Modi during DefEXPO 2022. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

New era of space exploration: Indian space industry witnessed major milestones in 2022

Over the last four decades, the state-run Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has fostered an ecosystem and space industry via public-private partnerships, but this needs to be scaled up and more inclusive, say experts. They are of the opinion that ISRO and its private partners from the industry must involve academia and research institutions at a greater level in order to ensure better coordination for the coming times, amid global competition.&nbsp;

Speaking at a virtual event organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), veterans of ISRO and Indian space-sector entrepreneurs touched upon how India could evolve its space ecosystem for balanced growth as a manufacturing hub. On the emerging global trends, Arunachalam, an official of the government-run New Space India Limited (NSIL), said that the highly competitive segments would be affordable launches, increased launch choice, increased resolution of commercial space-based imaging, etc.&nbsp;

He said that ISRO had been working with over 500 industry partners for their overall operations and activities so far, but he pointed out how India’s space economy is barely $7bn, which is less than 2% of the global market. He said ISRO and Indian industries must go beyond the vendor-supplier relationship and work on developing space-based services to bolster the Indian Space economy.&nbsp;

Surendra M Vaidya, a senior official from Godrej Aerospace, said that the private industry and ISRO partnership dates back to the 1980s, but he emphasised why it had to be extended to academia, research institutions. Taking the example of Godrej and MTAR- two competing firms, he touched upon how they were working together on fabricating rocket engines for ISRO, while also being competitors in many other streams. He expressed that private industry could simultaneously collaborate and compete in different domains, as necessary.&nbsp;

Highlighting the need for an overall aerospace ecosystem, he said that a manufacturing hub doesn’t mean just a single unit for a single technological system, but it meant offering a wide-range of products for civil and military purposes. "We must encourage the support infrastructure, such as machine tools, facilities, and consumables, most of which are not readily available today. What we require is an ecosystem that is based on industry requirements,"he said.&nbsp;

Srinath Ravichandran, CEO of rocket company Agnikul Cosmos, said that there must be enough demand and enough solutions providers to meet both sides of the economic equation. Referring to the problems faced by small companies in placing orders for components, he said that small firms required only few units of a certain component, whereas ore sector companies required thousands of them. "Small companies can’t place large orders as the needs are infrequent, but when companies across the sector come together and place a large order, it will benefit everyone, provided we use the same component," he said.&nbsp;

Referring to the global semiconductor supply shortage, he said it would be easier for a company to purchase a large volume of 10,000 units, whereas a small company needing 50 units would have to wait longer. He urged Indian industry and industry-bodies to find methods to overcome this, where the small players can also get their small-quantity orders on time via collaboration with larger companies.

Sanjay Nekkanti of Dhruvaspace said that there was a huge market where Indian firms could focus on and offer products and services to cater towards foreign demand. He pointed out statistics which mentioned the possibility of 30,000 satellites being launched over the next decade and how Indian firms could collaborate to meet these requirements of foreign customers.

Over the last four decades, the state-run Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has fostered an ecosystem and space industry via public-private partnerships, but this needs to be scaled up and more inclusive, say experts.

Over the last four decades, the state-run Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has fostered an ecosystem and space industry via public-private partnerships, but this needs to be scaled up and more inclusive, say experts. They are of the opinion that ISRO and its private partners from the industry must involve academia and research institutions at a greater level in order to ensure better coordination for the coming times, amid global competition. Speaking at a virtual event organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), veterans of ISRO and Indian space-sector entrepreneurs touched upon how India could evolve its space ecosystem for balanced growth as a manufacturing hub. On the emerging global trends, Arunachalam, an official of the government-run New Space India Limited (NSIL), said that the highly competitive segments would be affordable launches, increased launch choice, increased resolution of commercial space-based imaging, etc. He said that ISRO had been working with over 500 industry partners for their overall operations and activities so far, but he pointed out how India’s space economy is barely $7bn, which is less than 2% of the global market. He said ISRO and Indian industries must go beyond the vendor-supplier relationship and work on developing space-based services to bolster the Indian Space economy. Surendra M Vaidya, a senior official from Godrej Aerospace, said that the private industry and ISRO partnership dates back to the 1980s, but he emphasised why it had to be extended to academia, research institutions. Taking the example of Godrej and MTAR- two competing firms, he touched upon how they were working together on fabricating rocket engines for ISRO, while also being competitors in many other streams. He expressed that private industry could simultaneously collaborate and compete in different domains, as necessary. Highlighting the need for an overall aerospace ecosystem, he said that a manufacturing hub doesn’t mean just a single unit for a single technological system, but it meant offering a wide-range of products for civil and military purposes. "We must encourage the support infrastructure, such as machine tools, facilities, and consumables, most of which are not readily available today. What we require is an ecosystem that is based on industry requirements,"he said. Srinath Ravichandran, CEO of rocket company Agnikul Cosmos, said that there must be enough demand and enough solutions providers to meet both sides of the economic equation. Referring to the problems faced by small companies in placing orders for components, he said that small firms required only few units of a certain component, whereas ore sector companies required thousands of them. "Small companies can’t place large orders as the needs are infrequent, but when companies across the sector come together and place a large order, it will benefit everyone, provided we use the same component," he said. Referring to the global semiconductor supply shortage, he said it would be easier for a company to purchase a large volume of 10,000 units, whereas a small company needing 50 units would have to wait longer. He urged Indian industry and industry-bodies to find methods to overcome this, where the small players can also get their small-quantity orders on time via collaboration with larger companies. Sanjay Nekkanti of Dhruvaspace said that there was a huge market where Indian firms could focus on and offer products and services to cater towards foreign demand. He pointed out statistics which mentioned the possibility of 30,000 satellites being launched over the next decade and how Indian firms could collaborate to meet these requirements of foreign customers.

Greater collaboration within India’s space industry can lead to balanced growth, say experts

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