The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) revealed a comprehensive launch plan for the fourth quarter of FY 2023-24 and FY 2024-25.
A total of 30 launches are slated to take place from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. Among these, half are designated for India’s burgeoning commercial space sector, while the remainder encompass user-funded scientific missions and technology test launches.
According to IN-SPACe’s launch manifesto, 14 commercial missions have been identified, with seven of them spearheaded by the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), NewSpace India Limited (NSIL). Notably, this includes two Polar Satellite Launch Vehicles (PSLVs) facilitated by an industry consortium, signifying a significant uptick in launch activity.
Key non-governmental entities partaking in sub-orbital and orbital launches during this period include Agnikul Cosmos and Skyroot Aerospace. Additionally, satellite launches are planned by entities such as Digantara Research and Technology, Dhruvaspace, Space Kidz India, as well as academic institutes like IIT-Madras, Manipal Institute of Technology, and CV Raman Global University, Odisha.
As an autonomous nodal agency under the Department of Space, IN-SPACe’s mandate is to promote, enable, authorise, and supervise non-government entities engaged in space activities. These encompass various facets, including the manufacturing of launch vehicles and satellites, providing space-based services, establishing ground stations, sharing space infrastructure, and facilities, and setting up new facilities under the Department of Space.
