New government schemes will offer significant financial support to Indian private space companies. These initiatives aim to boost domestic launch capabilities and global competitiveness for businesses. Subsidies will cover launch services, technology transfer, and access to ISRO facilities. The programs are designed to lower entry barriers and accelerate private sector growth. This support will make satellite data and infrastructure more affordable for Indian entities.
BENGALURU: Indian private space companies and non-government entities will receive govt support ranging from 30% to 100% on everything from launch services and technology transfer to satellite data and access to Isro facilities under two new schemes of the Department of Space (DoS).The incentives — Launch Services Price-support Scheme (LSPS) and the Price Support Scheme — being implemented by Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) are aimed at lowering entry barriers, making Indian space businesses globally competitive and accelerating private participation across the sector.The larger of the two initiatives is the Launch Services Price-support Scheme, with a budget of Rs 800 crore over five years until June 2031. The scheme seeks to boost domestic commercial launch operations and strengthen India’s position as a global launch hub.IN-SPACe chairman Pawan Goenka told TOI: “The idea is to make the launches competitive. Therefore, we are trying to defray the cost of launch, thereby making the launch cost globally competitive. The ultimate beneficiary will be the satellite launch.”Under Category A, eligible entities can receive up to 50% support for using Isro and DoS launch facilities. The benefit extends to NGEs, government entities and launch vehicle providers.Category B offers a 30% subsidy on contractual launch costs, or up to $3,000 per kg, whichever is lower, for Indian small launch vehicles carrying satellites, experiments or payloads weighing up to 500 kg. The support is available to satellite owners and operators.The subsidy would apply to launches by Indian private entities from Indian soil too. “It will be applicable to [Skyroot’s] Vikram also. Any satellite launch by an Indian company… from Indian soil… we will directly pay the satellite guys $3,000 per kg,” Goenka said. He added that the policy is focused on promoting small launch vehicles where private sector participation is growing.Category C provides the highest level of support, offering 100% funding for repurposed upper-stage platforms carrying payloads of up to 120 kg. The funding is capped at $13,000 per kg and limited to four missions. The category is aimed at NGEs, govt entities and launch vehicle providers.Category D extends launch incentives to satellites weighing up to 100 kg launched aboard PSLV, GSLV and LVM3 missions. Beneficiaries will receive a 30% subsidy on contractual launch costs, or up to $3,000 per kg, whichever is lower.Complementing the launch incentives is a separate Price Support Scheme for Indian entities, which will run for three years until Feb 2029. The programme is intended to reduce the cost of accessing India’s space infrastructure, technologies and data.The scheme has three components. The first provides up to 50% support for the utilisation of DoS and In-SPACe facilities, along with technical expertise.
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The second offers a 30% subsidy on Technology Transfer Fees (TTF) for technologies licensed from Isro, lowering the cost for companies seeking to commercialise govt-developed technologies.The third provides a 50% subsidy on standard Earth Observation data and data products, making satellite imagery and geospatial datasets more affordable for Indian companies developing applications in agriculture, urban planning, disaster management, climate services and other downstream sectors.
