NEW DELHI: The private sector will now be allowed to carry out space activities like building of rockets, satellites and providing launch services, ISRO chief K Sivan said on Thursday.
He said the private sector can also be part of the inter-planetary missions of the Indian Space Research Organisation.
The Cabinet on Wednesday approved participation of the private sector in the entire range of space activities, including planetary exploration missions.
Sivan, however, added that ISRO's activities are not going to reduce and it will continue to carry our space-based activities including advanced research and development, inter-planetary and human space flight missions.
Sivan also said ISRO will also share its technological expertise with the private parties.
According to Sivan, there was a need for a mechanism to allow the private sector taking into account the safety, security and also provide the ease of doing business.
He said private sector players will apply to IN-SPACe and the latter will process the application and its decision is binding on ISRO.
While it will take about 3-6 months for IN-SPACe to be in place, the private sector can send their applications to DOS.
As regards NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL), a public sector unit under DOS, Sivan said its role is being re-defined to transform the approach of supply driven model to demand driven model for space based services.
Sivan said NSIL will be strengthened and empowered to off-load operational activities of ISRO in the areas of launch vehicle and satellite production, launch services as well as space based services.
The NSIL will execute these activities through industry consortiums.
Sivan said this move will allow ISRO to allocate more time and resources for R&D endeavours.
The ISRO will continue to carry out its present activities with greater emphasis on development of advanced technology, missions and capacity building besides supporting private endeavours in space sector.
(Inputs from Agencies)