The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) has issued a call for proposals from Indian startups and private companies to develop and manage a cutting-edge space-based Earth Observation (EO) system. This initiative, conducted under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, aims to create a constellation of satellites equipped with advanced imaging technologies to enhance Earth observation capabilities.
The project represents a collaborative effort between IN-SPACe and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to foster a self-reliant, robust, and sustainable EO system that meets the increasing demand for high-resolution Earth observation data. According to IN-SPACe Chairman Pawan Goenka, the initiative is expected to yield significant downstream commercial potential, leading to more competitive products and services.
“We envision that the satellite constellation, with its advanced imaging technology, will not only cater to the growing demand for EO data but also bolster India’s position in the global space economy,” Goenka said.
Interested parties are invited to register with IN-SPACe by August 1. A “pre-EoI (Expression of Interest) conference” will be held on August 8 to provide further details, with the deadline for submitting proposals set for September 10.
Proposals will be evaluated based on various criteria, including funding, valuation, and revenue. To be eligible, applicants must have secured at least INR 85 crore in funding. For Indian startups, the threshold is reduced to INR 42.5 crore. Alternatively, applicants must either have a valuation of INR 850 crore or demonstrate an average annual revenue of INR 200 crore over the past three years.
The EO system will involve designing, building, and launching a constellation of satellites equipped with achromatic, multispectral, hyperspectral, and microwave imaging technologies. Additionally, successful applicants will be responsible for launching the satellites using Indian Satellite Launch Vehicles, monitoring spacecraft health, and managing payload data through either self-operated ground stations or ground stations-as-a-service (GSaaS) providers.
The initiative also encompasses the processing of payload data and the generation of analysis-ready data (ARD) for various applications. The goal is to reduce dependency on foreign space-based EO data and enhance the national space economy. This aligns with broader efforts to position India as a major global data provider and boost its presence in the geospatial market.
The move comes on the heels of recent reports indicating that the Centre is exploring funding and support options for launching 12 EO satellites under a similar public-private partnership model. It also follows Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s announcement of a INR 1,000 crore venture capital fund for domestic spacetech startups in her recent Budget speech.
Current players in the EO satellite domain include startups like GalaxEye and Pixxel, which offer multi-sensor and hyperspectral imaging technologies, respectively. The new initiative is expected to invigorate the sector and foster further innovation in space-based Earth observation technologies.
