Early Times Report
NEW DELHI, July 23: India's space sector has witnessed measurable gains since June 2020, when space was opened to private players, with the number of space start-ups increasing from one in 2014 to more than 400 at present, and cumulative private investment crossing USD 600 million, the government informed Parliament on Thursday.
In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said in 2026 so far, private investment worth USD 187 million has been reported and 105 authorisations have been issued to non-government entities (NGEs) as on July 7.
"The investor base driving India's space ecosystem has expanded far beyond early angels, with sovereign wealth funds, global asset managers, and strategic corporates now sitting side-by-side on cap tables," the minister said. He highlighted that India's private space sector has demonstrated real launch and orbital capability -- two companies have flown sub-orbital launch vehicles (in November 2022 and May 2024).
NGEs have so far placed more than 30 satellites in orbit and about 45 payloads are in space through platforms, such as the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM), Singh said. |
