The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (In-Space), a government-affiliated body overseeing space projects, has announced a call for initial bids or expressions of interest (EoI) from domestic companies. This initiative aims to find firms to design, build, own, operate, and maintain earth observation (EO) satellites.
The Centre’s move signifies a significant step towards becoming a major customer for India’s burgeoning private space sector, a need that has been emphasized by industry stakeholders. On June 28, it was reported that the Centre plans to fund and support the launch of 12 EO satellites through a public-private partnership model. This project represents the first of its kind.
Domestic space firms interested in the project must meet specific financial and operational criteria. To qualify, companies must have secured at least ₹85 crore ($10.1 million) in funding, with a reduced threshold of ₹42.5 crore ($5.1 million) for startups. Alternatively, firms must be valued at ₹850 crore ($101 million) or demonstrate an average annual revenue of ₹200 crore ($23.9 million) over three years.
Interested parties can register and submit queries to In-Space by August 1. A pre-EoI conference will be held on August 8 for further discussions. The deadline for submitting formal applications is September 10.
According to the EoI document, the project aims to reduce India’s dependence on foreign EO data and enhance the country’s space economy. Historically, EO satellites have been designed and launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro), with government bodies using them for forestry, weather monitoring, and land surveys. The successful private firm will have the chance to monetize space data and services, expanding its presence in the global geospatial market.
Pawan Goenka, Chairman of In-Space, emphasized that the satellite constellation’s advanced imaging technology will unlock significant commercial potential, leading to more competitive products. This initiative aligns with a broader call from the Indian space community for the Centre to support private space startups actively.
Startups such as Pixxel and Galaxeye, based in Bengaluru, are already developing EO and imaging satellites and could be potential candidates for the project. The move aims to establish the Centre as an anchor customer for private space ventures, addressing previous concerns about insufficient demand from within the government.
The In-Space initiative represents a critical step in fostering growth within India’s private space sector and setting a precedent for future collaborations between the government and private industry.
