Consider a famous, even clichéd, proverb: “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” It indicates that the size of the first step matters less than its ceremonial significance, and that the latter should inspire optimism and hope.
The
For the purpose of our analysis, all commercial space activities can be broadly classified into two categories: upstream space activities, involving building and launching satellites and other space-intended payloads, and downstream space activities, including bringing the dividends of assets in space to consumers on the ground.
Global connectivity, the information revolution and a slate of other broadcasting and telecommunication utilities all owe themselves to progress in the satellite industry, thus securing the latter's place in humankind's pursuit of the final frontier.
Confidence in
However,
The court's cancellation of 2G spectrum licenses for corruption - no matter how well-intended - also dealt a body blow to
This tension between the satellite communications, or
- “The norms, guidelines and procedures for implementation of the policy frame-work as approved by the Government in 2000”, a.k.a. SATCOM Norms
- The Indian Telegraph Act 1885
- The National Frequency Allocation Plan 2018
To further complicate matters, the task of enforcing and implementing these laws is distributed between multiple ministries, departments and agencies. Only some of them include the
These agencies have the discretion to ensure commercial space activities are permitted as well as are undertaken responsibly - without undermining
So long as the present laws read the way they do, anyone who intends to design and launch a satellite is required to have her equipment certified by the TEC, secure the frequency necessary to communicate with the satellite from the WPC, secure the orbital slot by applying through the proper channels under the SATCOM Norms, have the network created by the satellite certified by the NOCC, and secure the appropriate license from the
Ultimately, without any clarity as to how applications for licenses for
Policy must change
At the same time, blaming the people or the government for this status quo is as unfair as it is counterproductive. The fact is that bureaucrats and ministers are only as confident and effective as the laws allow them to be.
The powers that be at the Centre neglected commercial space regulations for a long time, until the current government began discussing the draft Space Activities Bill. Thanks to legislative neglect, policies relevant to space-based assets have been slow to evolve and adapt to events such as the 2G spectrum verdict or the Devas award. The gaps in the regulations that caused these legal liabilities in the first place are yet to be addressed.
As a result, the law as it stands today does little to instil confidence in bureaucrats that they will be protected in their efforts to build bridges with commercial enterprises, provided their approach is reasonable and fair.
It is no wonder then that investors have no predictability, and bureaucrats and other authorities are anxious.
However, to take that point forward - and speaking for the satellite industry - the
This policy must specify the procedure to license commercial space activities, and clarify the certainty, timeline and cost of:
- Having equipment certified and cleared
- Securing slots on rockets to launch satellites
- Securing the frequency necessary to communicate with the satellite
- Securing an orbital slot for the satellite
- Securing permits and licenses for Earth-observation, telecommunications or broadcasting functions.
Without doing these things, IN-SPACe will be handicapped in its efforts to achieve the government's vision of a more inclusive space economy.
So as such,
So if what has started today as IN-SPACe culminates with a fruitful partnership, we may very well rise from being just a responsible space actor to a commercially successful one as well, driving innovation and enterprise to secure
Originally published by Science The Wire,
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