Indian Space Conclave Opens with Calls for Accelerated Growth
New Delhi – 5 November 2024 – The 3rd Indian Space Conclave began in New Delhi, hosted by the Indian Space Association (ISpA). Leading officials from India’s space sector, including Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Science and Technology, Dr. S Somanath, ISRO Chairman, and Ambassador Hervé Delphin of the European Union, addressed critical issues and prospects in the industry.
Dr. Jitendra Singh announced that ISRO will launch a satellite for the European Space Agency (ESA) next month, marking a significant collaboration between India and the European Union (EU) in solar exploration.
The three-day event will feature over 1,500 attendees, including policymakers, business leaders, researchers, and students, with discussions covering commercialisation, global partnerships, satellite communications, and human spaceflight.
India’s Vision for Space: Aiming High by 2047
Shri Jayant Patil, ISpA Chairman, opened the session by highlighting India’s space sector transformation. He noted the economic impact, with every rupee invested yielding a 2.5 times return and over $60 billion added to India’s GDP over the past decade. Patil emphasised the goal of exponential growth in space advancements by India’s 100th year of independence.
Dr. Jitendra Singh spoke on India’s space transformation from a follower to a leading global force in science and technology. Recent innovative missions and international partnerships have advanced India’s reputation and capability in space. He called for nurturing talent and creating an environment that fuels further innovation, pushing India towards ambitions like space tourism and lunar exploration.
ISRO Chairman Dr. S Somanath detailed India’s Vision 2047 for space, focusing on building a strong, competitive space economy. He noted the role of ISRO’s 450 industry partners in manufacturing satellites and launch services but stressed the need for new players, especially startups. With government support, ISRO aims to drive space applications across sectors like agriculture and finance and is set on landing an Indian astronaut on the moon by 2040.
Strengthening India-EU Collaboration in Space
Ambassador Hervé Delphin outlined the shared goals between India and the EU, aiming for strategic independence in navigation, Earth observation, and communications. He pointed out the potential for collaboration in climate monitoring and cybersecurity, alongside joint initiatives in space traffic and debris management.
As the 2025 EU-India Summit approaches, Delphin stressed the importance of space diplomacy and cooperative governance, especially to avoid destabilising actions such as anti-satellite tests. He expressed optimism about strengthening EU-India partnerships for a sustainable, peaceful use of space.
Future Discussions and Key Themes
On day two, the conclave will shift focus to telecommunications, featuring speakers like Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, Union MoS for Rural Development and Communications, and Dr. Neeraj Mittal, Secretary, DoT. Attendees will discuss telecom satellite communications, financing, and domestic manufacturing.
The forum will continue to explore critical sector issues such as financing models, sustainable supply chains, and streamlined regulations through IN-SPACe to enhance private sector access to ISRO facilities. The conclave is expected to inspire actionable insights, with strategic partnerships at the forefront of discussions to position India as a global space leader.