FICCI, ISRO set to host global space industry meet

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and industry body Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) are hosting an international seminar on space industry in November to help Indian companies tap the space market in the country and globally.

The seminar, slated for November 20 and 21 in New Delhi, will expose aspiring industries to potential international partners and network with space agencies, policy makers and academia, the organisers said on Monday.

Increasing rate

A.S. Kiran Kumar, chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation, said at a news conference that the space agency is increasing its own rate of missions — to almost double at 18 missions a year.

There was a growing opportunity as more than 1,000 satellites were planned worldwide in the coming years. ISRO was also allowing private and public Indian industry to assemble its spacecraft and build the first launch vehicle in 2020.

“In the recent past, we have been looking at a mechanism to increase the number of our spacecraft and launches [through] industry and academia. While industry provides our needs, we also want to ensure that it also takes a part of the global market,” he said.

Vivek Pandit, Assistant Secretary General of the FICCI, said industry has started tapping opportunities at ISRO centres.