The Indian National Space Propulsion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) has invited Indian start-ups and private companies to submit proposals for building and managing a space-based Earth Observation (EO) system.
Public-Private Partnership for Advanced EO Systems
This ambitious project, implemented under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, involves the design, construction and launch of a constellation of satellites equipped with advanced imaging technology to create an autonomous, robust and sustainable Earth observation system to meet the growing demand for Earth observation data.
“This initiative by IN-SPACe and ISRO aims to create a self-reliant, robust and sustainable Earth observation system that will meet the growing demand for Earth observation data. The upstream infrastructure of a constellation with advanced imaging technologies is expected to significantly enhance downstream commercial potential and result in more competitive products,” said Pawan Goenka, Chairman, IN-SPACe.
Registration and Application Procedures
Interested applicants can register their projects on IN-SPACe by August 1. A pre-expression of interest (pre-EoI) meeting will be held for interested parties on August 8, with final applications due by September 10. Applicants will be evaluated based on multiple parameters, including funding, valuation and revenue.
To be eligible, applicants must have raised at least INR 8.5 billion in funding, though the threshold for Indian startups has been set at INR 4.25 billion, or have a company value of INR 85 billion or a three-year average annual revenue of INR 20 billion.
Project Scope and Requirements
The EoI invites proposals for the design and construction of a constellation of satellites with achromatic, multispectral, hyperspectral and microwave imaging technologies. The project also involves launching these satellites using India’s Satellite Launch Vehicle, monitoring and controlling the spacecraft health, and managing the download of payload data through a ground station or Ground Station as a Service (GSaaS) provider.
Additionally, the EoI outlines projects to process payload data from the satellite constellation and generate Analysis Ready Data (ARD) for various applications.
The proposed Earth Observation Satellite System aims to reduce dependency on foreign Earth observation data and boost India’s space economy. These satellites are typically used by government agencies for weather monitoring, land surveying and other purposes.
Opportunities and Market Potential
Selected applicants will be given an opportunity to monetize their space data and related services, thereby enhancing their presence in the global geospatial market and positioning India as a major data provider globally. Startups such as GalaxEye and Pixxel are already operating in this space, offering multi-sensor and hyperspectral imaging satellites, respectively.
Broad promotion to the space technology sector
The move comes a month after reports said the central government plans to provide funds and support for launching 12 Earth observation satellites under a public-private partnership model. It also fits in with the central government’s broader commitment to the space technology sector. Recently, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her Budget speech announced a Rs 1,000 crore venture capital (VC) fund for domestic space technology startups.
