By Vikrant Rana, Rupin Chopra And Shantam Sharma
India’s space sector has been on a rapid growth trajectory, with over 400 private space companies, positioning the country fifth globally. India has earned global recognition for its cost-effective satellite launches, with notable achievements such as the Mars probe launched on its first attempt and deploying hundreds of foreign satellites into space. Currently, India holds about 2-3% of the global space economy, with plans to increase this share to over 10% by 2030. The sector is expected to reach a market size of $13 billion by 2025[1].
The Rise of Indian Start-ups in Space
The Indian space industry is increasingly being driven by start-ups. From a single start-up in 2012, the number has grown to 189 by 2023, with a sharp rise in funding—$124.7 million in 2023 compared to $67.2 million in 2021. Moreover, India has signed space cooperation agreements with 61 countries and five multilateral bodies, reflecting its growing global space presence.
Introduction to NGP: Norms, Guidelines, and Procedures for Space Object Registration[2]
The “Norms, Guidelines, and Procedures” (NGP) for the implementation of the Indian Space Policy-2023 were developed in respect of the authorization of space activities, including the registration of space objects. This regulatory framework is crucial for ensuring that India’s space activities are conducted responsibly, in compliance with national and international standards, and for the protection of Indian space assets.
According to the NGP, a “Space Object” is defined as:
Any object launched or intended to be launched into an orbital or suborbital trajectory around Earth or to a destination beyond Earth’s orbit.
- Any constituent element of such an object.
- Any other object notified from time to time as a space object.
A “Space Object” under Indian jurisdiction, once authorized, will be entered into the National Registry managed by IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center). The registration of a space object in India involves a structured process aimed at providing oversight and governance over all space objects that have an Indian entity’s ownership and control. The National Registry acts as an official record of all space objects authorized for operations by Indian entities, ensuring compliance with the norms set by IN-SPACe.
Eligibility Criteria for Registration
For a space object to qualify for registration:
- The space object must be owned by an Indian entity with complete control over its operations. This also applies to cases where an Indian entity forms a partnership, joint venture, or franchise with a non-Indian entity, provided control remains under Indian jurisdiction.
- If an Indian entity manufactures a space object that is subsequently owned and controlled by a non-Indian entity, the object will generally not be considered for registration in the National Registry.
- Space objects belonging to the Government of India or its public sector enterprises (PSEs) will be registered in the National Registry, irrespective of the country of launch or launch vehicle.
- It is important to note that payloads, which are integral parts of a spacecraft and remain attached, are generally not registered separately unless special circumstances warrant independent registration.
Key Guidelines for Registration and Compliance
Indian space actors are expected to follow a set of guidelines during the design, operation, and end-of-life phases of both launch vehicles and spacecraft. Compliance with these guidelines is essential for ensuring safe, sustainable, and responsible space operations. The registration process of a space object involves an evaluation of adherence to these guidelines. Some of the important guidelines include:
- Space Debris Mitigation: Space actors must comply with the UN-COPUOS Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines (2007) to minimize space debris and promote sustainable space activities.
- Due Diligence in Operations: The applicants are expected to ensure safety and operational integrity throughout the space object’s lifecycle. IN-SPACe reviews deviations from the standard guidelines on a case-by-case basis.
- Sustainable Operations Framework: Space operators must align with emerging frameworks for safe and sustainable operations as laid out by the Department of Space (DoS).
Registration Procedure
The Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for registration of space objects consists of two main parts:
- Pre-Registration Procedures
- Post-Registration Procedures
Pre-Registration Procedures
- The Indian entity owning the space object must apply for registration by submitting all the necessary information, which forms part of its application to IN-SPACe seeking authorization for establishing and/or operating or launching the space object.
- The submitted information will be evaluated for correctness, consistency, and compliance with space debris mitigation requirements.
- In case of any discrepancies or inadequacies in the provided information, IN-SPACe will seek additional details or provide feedback for necessary modifications. The applicant must submit the updated application after making the required changes.
- Once the application is complete and compliant with all standards, IN-SPACe will communicate the approval of registration to the applicant. However, it is clarified that completing the pre-registration procedures does not guarantee that the authorization application will be accepted.
Post-Registration Procedures
- Once a space object is registered in the National Registry, operators must follow certain protocols and provide periodic updates to IN-SPACe regarding their space activities.
- Before Launch: Any changes in the launch date, lift-off timings, or injection parameters of the spacecraft must be communicated to IN-SPACe at the earliest. The registration approval will remain valid subject to the clearance of the modified parameters.
On-orbit Operational Phase:
- Immediately after Launch: Operators are required to provide injected orbital elements within 12 hours of injection, and NORAD ID and International Designator within 4 weeks. Additionally, operators must report predicted ephemerides, anomalies, and other relevant information.
- Periodic Notifications: Operators must submit updates every six months, including orbital details, controllability, maneuverability, fuel availability, major configuration changes, and milestones achieved.
- Special, High-Priority Notifications: Critical events such as close approaches with other space objects, changes in ownership, orbital migration, system failures, loss of control, premature mission termination, and atmospheric re-entry (controlled/uncontrolled) must be reported immediately.
- Sharing of Ephemerides: Updated ephemerides of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites must be shared every three days, and for Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), High Earth Orbit (HEO), and Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) satellites, at least once a week. Planned maneuvers should also be communicated.
Future Prospects and Growth
With an increasing number of Indian entities taking part in space exploration and satellite launches, the registration of space objects is expected to grow. This will further boost India’s space economy, ensuring regulatory compliance and fostering international cooperation. As India looks to capture a larger share of the global space economy, robust frameworks such as the NGP will be vital in maintaining the country’s leadership in space innovation and governance.
Sujal Sharma , Former Intern at S.S. Rana & Co. has assisted in the research of this article.
[1] Available at: https://www.investindia.gov.in/sector/space
[2] Available at: Chapter-XI Registration of the Space Objects, Norms, Guidelines and Procedures for Implementation of Indian Space Policy-2023 in respect of Authorization of Space Activities