National NewsIndia issues new guidelines for private space firms

India issues new guidelines for private space firms

NEW DELHI, JUL 30 (PTI): The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) in its new guidelines has stated that private space companies must limit the casualty risk of any planned space object re-entry to less than 1 in 10,000.
IN-SPACe, the single-window agency for all space-sector activities undertaken by private entities, has also mandated that any Indian entity planning the re-entry of a space object, whether within or outside Indian territory, needs its authorisation.
The new guidelines, ‘Norms, Guidelines and Procedures for Implementation of Indian Space Policy-2023 in respect of Authorisation for Undertaking Planned Re-entry of Space Objects’, were issued on July 23 and made public on Wednesday.
“Non-Indian entities intending to undertake ‘Planned Re-entry’ of their Space Object within Indian territory shall seek IN-SPACe authorisation only through Indian incorporated entities,” said the new guidelines. It stated that companies must carry out re-entry activities at their own risk and peril and must not expose the Indian government to any liability.
Therefore, companies should obtain adequate insurance, including mandatory third-party liability insurance, to cover all such risks and eventualities if IN-SPACe prescribes or requires it at the time of authorisation.
It also stated that companies must specifically declare their intention to re-enter their space object when seeking authorisation, if a re-entry is planned.
It stated that if a company decides to conduct a re-entry after the launch without prior flagging, it must apply for authorisation six months before the manoeuvre.

EDITOR PICKS

Farcical democracy

When a government begins using legislation to control rather than protect, democracy slowly gives way to authoritarian rule. This is what is taking place with the proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) becoming another...