Preparation to become a space superpower by 2047: In-space will set up space labs in 7 universities, will provide 75% funding of the total cost.

New Delhi: With an aim to strengthen the space technology ecosystem, India’s space sector promoter Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACE) has proposed to set up space laboratories in seven educational institutions across the country.

According to ‘In-Space’, the space laboratory is a first-of-its-kind initiative that aims to establish state-of-the-art space laboratories in Indian educational institutions to provide practical training and hands-on experience to students pursuing courses related to space technology.

‘IN-SPACE’ has issued Invitation for Proposal (RFP) to set up space laboratories in select educational institutions in India. Courses related to space technology have already been started in many higher educational institutions of the country and such laboratories will help in providing practical training to the students as well as in creating skilled human resources for the emerging private space sector in the country.

Vinod Kumar, Director, Promotion Directorate, IN-SPACE, said the initiative aims to foster meaningful collaboration between industry and academia and support India’s long-term goal of becoming a leading global space economy. Under the scheme, a maximum of seven educational institutions will be selected from seven different regions of the country in a phased manner.

‘In-Space’ will provide financial support up to a maximum of 75 percent of the total cost of the project, subject to a limit of Rs 5 crore per institution. This amount will be released on the basis of progress related to various stages and targets of the project. According to the RFP issued by ‘In-Space’, institutions that are at least five years old, ranked within 200 in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) and offering courses related to space technology will be eligible to apply under the scheme.

Kumar said that by providing shared workspace for students, researchers and industry, these laboratories will promote applied research, early stage innovation and skill development in line with the actual needs of the industry. These institutes are also expected to encourage industry collaboration for technology development projects. India’s space economy, currently estimated at around US$8 billion, is likely to grow to US$44 billion by 2033. To sustain this rapid growth, large scale trained human resources will be required.