Inspired by nations which are allowing private participation in their space sector, India too has come out with a legislation draft on space activities which invites suggestions and comments from the public. The Space Activities Bill 2017, (available on ISRO website) is all about encouraging non-governmental and private sector agencies to participate in space activities in the country.
For last five decades, the Department of Space through Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and its R&D centres has been executing various satellite launch vehicle programmes and projects with an objective of bringing the benefits of space technology to societal needs and national development. In this context, the Space Activity Bill draft categorically indicates the scope and the need of private participation in space sector.
The Bill says, “Over a period, with the logical evolution of space activities in India from conceptual, experimental, operational, commercial and further expansion phases, the demands for space systems, applications and services for national needs and beyond have been rapidly growing.” The Bill further states that this scenario demands the participation of Indian industry and service providers at much higher levels in all round space activities under the technical guidance and authorisation of the Government through Department of Space.
The Bill also mentions, ‘A few start-up companies too in India are showing interest in engaging in space systems activities.’
Undoubtedly, the initiative taken by the Department of Space is of prime significance as it proposes necessary legal environment for orderly performance and growth of space sector. Accordingly, the legislation encourages that an individual or a firm can take up any space-related activities by adhering to government’s regulations but at the same time, it also states its intentions of restraining violations by proposing that violations would attract penal action of imprisonment of up to three years and also a fine that may extend up to Rs 1 crore.
With space technologies and activities undergoing rapid change, its definitely needed that the existing rules should be revised and made more relevant. Space faring nations such as USA, Russia, Ukraine, Republic of Korea and other nations like South Africa, United Kingdom, Indonesia and Austria which are engaged in space activities have formulated their domestic space legislation. Japan and China too are in the process of drafting their national space act. In this scenario, India must remain competitive enough on the global map.
For a long time, space activities are being carried out with an aim of facilitating the national development and the need of the hour was definitely to chalk out a space specific legal framework that would enable sustainable growth of space activities in India. The proposed Bill is no less than a paradigm shift in this context. The discussion and deliberation in public sphere over its pros and cons is the need of the hour.
