(Photo credit: AI generated)
BENGALURU: In a move aimed at deepening India’s private-sector space manufacturing ecosystem, the Department of Space (DoS) has approved the establishment of Common Technical Facilities (CTFs) in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, with the two states setting aside land for dedicated space manufacturing clusters.The facilities, to be developed with support from space regulator-cum-promoter Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), will provide shared access to advanced testing, validation and integration infrastructure that is otherwise capital-intensive for individual firms to build.The initiative comes as India seeks to expand domestic capabilities across spacecraft, launch vehicle systems and commercial space applications while drawing more startups, MSMEs and large industries into the sector.IN-SPACe chairman Pawan Goenka said the shared infrastructure model would allow private companies to access high-end facilities without having to independently invest in and operate them.“The establishment of CTFs equipped with capital intensive systems is a critical step in creating a robust, industry-led space ecosystem in India,” he said, adding that both clusters had already attracted industry interest and investment commitments. In Gujarat, the state govt has identified land at Khoraj, near Ahmedabad, for a Space Manufacturing Park focused on spacecraft, payload systems and space-based applications. The cluster is expected to support end-to-end development and testing of spacecraft components and payloads.Gujarat chief secretary Manoj Kumar Das said the park would act as a strategic enabler for rapid growth in space-tech manufacturing and help Gujarat expand into another advanced industrial sector.Tamil Nadu, meanwhile, plans to establish a Space Vehicles Cluster at Thoothukudi, strategically located near the upcoming small launch vehicle complex at Kulasekharapatnam. The cluster will focus on manufacturing, testing and integration of launch vehicle systems.The proposed infrastructure includes vibration, shock, pressure and thermal vacuum testing systems along with specialised assembly units aimed at supporting the growing small launch vehicle market.Tamil Nadu chief secretary M Sai Kumar said DoS had sanctioned Rs 100 crore for the Space Vehicle Common Testing Facility Centre at Thoothukudi. He said the facility would support launch vehicle and satellite assembly while helping space-tech startups and generating high-quality jobs in southern Tamil Nadu.Under the model approved by the Centre, state govts will provide land, buildings and civic infrastructure, while IN-SPACe will procure, install and initially operate the technical systems before transferring ownership to the states.About 10 states have expressed interest in establishing similar space manufacturing clusters, signalling growing nationwide competition to build specialised space industrial ecosystems.
