India’s First Private EO Satellite Constellation under PPP Model

Within India, its first domestic-built commercial Earth Observation (EO) satellite constellation will soon come into existence on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) basis. IN-SPACe has picked the PixxelSpace India- led consortium on an 80-20 basis utilizing Bengaluru-based start-up PixxelSpace with an aim to implement the project. This 1200 crore project will introduce 12 advanced EO satellites in 5 years. The constellation will enable climate monitoring, agriculture, disaster management and national security applications and guarantee data sovereignty at the same time. It is one of the key achievements of the Indian private space industry in the ability to oversee high-tech large-scale missions.

Context

• The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) has granted a private entity, in the first of its kind mandate, to design and launch a commercial EO satellite system. 

• The step is part of India's reforms in the space sector to improve on the role of the private sector.

Key Points

• IN-SPACe picks PixxelSpace India-led consortium to deliver India's first indigenous commercial EO satellite constellation on PPP.

• Piersight Space, Satsure Analytics India and Dhruva Space.

• Investment: 2000crores [1,200crores] over 5 years Rs 12, 12 EO satellites.

• Applications India: Climatological surveillance: surveillance of changing climatic conditions Disaster management: surveillance of disasters Agriculture: surveillance of agricultural fields Marine surveillance: surveillance of coastal and offshore waters National security: surveillance of national boundaries Urban planning.

• Significance: Decreases foreign dependency, provides data sovereignty, increases the capacities of the private space industry.

Features

1. Consortium Details

• Lead Partner: PixxelSpace India (Bengaluru).

• Partners: Satsure Analytics India, Dhruva Space, Piersight Space.

• Selection Process: Three consortia took part in a competitive bidding approach.

2. Project Overview

• Satellites: 12 enhanced EO satellites.

• Timeframe: more than 5 years.

• Budget: 1,200+ crore (Rs.) (private investment).

• Model: Public-Privat Partnership (PPP).

3. Capabilities & Applications

• Data Products: Value-Added Services (VAS) and Analysis Ready Data (ARD).

• Applications:

  • Analysis of climate change

  • Disaster management

  • Mapping of the productivity of agriculture

  • Marine surveillance

  • Intelligence concerned with national security

  • Infrastructure monitoring and Urban planning

4. Strategic Significance

• Secures data sovereignty through more reliance on foreign EO sources of data.

• Increases in-country capacity in high-resolution geospatial information.

• The process indicates maturity of India in carrying out intricate missions in the private space industry.

5. Policy & industry implications

• In line with space sector reforms that facilitated the entry of the private sector.

• Spurs investments and innovations within the space ecosystem in India.

• Establishes a precedent to future large-scale PPP space proposals.

Conclusion

Building the first Indian composition of privately owned EO satellites is a radical part in the space voyage of the country. It develops self-sufficiency, enhances national security and illustrates the possibility of PPP models development of innovation and mass investment in strategic industries.