Congratulations to ISRO on the successful completion of the SSLV-D2/EOS-07 mission! The mission is a testament to ISRO's hard work and dedication. Placing EOS-07, Janus-1, and AzaadiSAT-2 into their intended orbits flawlessly showcases ISRO's commitment to advancing the space industry and driving innovation.

SIA-India extends felicitations to Ananth Technologies and Antaris on the successful launch of the JANUS-1 satellite aboard ISRO's Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV-D2) on February 10, 2023. The satellite, which is a software-defined 6U technology demonstration model, was designed and constructed using the Antaris cloud software platform, SatOS™ software, and XDLinx's modular Spacecraft Bus, with Ananth Technologies serving as its Master Systems Integrator. The complete Assembly, Integration, and Test process was carried out successfully at Ananth Technologies' new facility in Bangalore's Aerospace Park, where the high-efficiency Solar Panels of JANUS-1 were also fully indigenized.

Additionally, the Thiruvananthapuram unit of Ananth Technologies made significant contributions to the country's space vehicle launch, SSLV, and also to the ISRO Satellite EOS. The Bangalore spacecraft team of Ananth made contributions to the EOS-7 satellite, the primary payload of the SSLV-D2 launch, by developing various avionics subsystems including IRU, BMU, LEMA, and DC-DC converter packages. The unit also provided test support for Azad Sat at its Bangalore facility.

International collaboration and partnerships have played a crucial role in the success of both the SSLV-D2/EOS-07 mission and the launch of Janus 1. These collaborations have allowed for the pooling of resources, expertise, and knowledge, leading to innovative and successful missions. The success of these collaborations showcases the importance of international cooperation in advancing the space industry and driving innovation.



According to Dr. Subba Rao Pavuluri, President SIA-India & CMD Ananth Technologies Ltd: 'The successful launch of JANUS-1 demonstrates the effectiveness of the collaboration between Antaris and XDLinx, as well as Ananth's manufacturing and AIT expertise. The project was completed in just 10 months, resulting in a cost savings of 75% compared to similar satellite missions. JANUS-1 is equipped with 5 different payloads, including IoT and communication systems'

The 2023-24 Union Budget has brought about both positive and negative impacts on the space sector. While some measures have been taken to boost the sector, there have also been reductions in funding that may have consequences for certain projects and programs.

Some key highlights from the budget include:
Extension of Custom Duty Exemption: The custom duty exemption for various goods related to the space sector, such as satellites and payloads, scientific and technical instruments, raw materials for aircraft manufacture, components of aircraft and more, has been extended for one more year till 31st March 2024.

Decreased Funding for Space Technology: The Department of Space expenditure has been cut by ₹1,093.84 crore, or 8%, down to ₹12,543.91 crore. This reduction may affect various projects and programs under ISRO's various centers, including the Human Spaceflight Centre. However, it's worth noting that the overall allocation for the department remains 19% higher than the revised estimate from the previous fiscal.

Possibility of PLI Scheme for Space Sector: There is a possibility of the announcement of the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme to include the space sector, which could provide a boost to the industry.

Space Policy and FDI: Two important policy decisions, the Space policy and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), are expected to bring positive announcements that could benefit the sector.

Unchanged Withholding Tax Rates on Royalty/Fees: The withholding tax rates on royalty and fees for technical services remain unchanged, as per the budget.

Extended Tax Holiday for Eligible Start-ups: The general tax holiday for eligible start-ups has been extended until 31st March 2024, which could encourage entrepreneurship in the sector.

In conclusion, the 2023-24 Union Budget has a mixed impact on the space sector, with very few measures aimed at boosting the industry, while others may have implications for certain projects and programs.

SIA-India partnered with the IEEE Standards Association Workshop on Next-Generation Connectivity. Attendees had the opportunity to dive into the latest standards and learn about how they were driving optimal communication solutions for urban-rural communities.

The workshop offered a comprehensive look into the standards shaping the future of communication solutions for urban and rural communities. The workshop delved into the evolving heterogeneous wireless networks of 5G, 6G, and beyond, exploring the need for unifying Radio Access Technologies (RAT) in beyond 5G networks.

Shri K. Rajaraman, the Secretary (Telecom) of the Government of India and Chairman of the Digital Communications Commission, launched the 'IEEE C-DOT Certified Telecom Expert Program (ICCTEP)', a collaboration between IEEE and C-DOT during the IEEE Standards Association Workshop.

At the Global Investors Summit ( UP Invest), SIA-India visited the Innovation Hub Expo at Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU) in Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow on February 11th, 2023. During the visit, SIA-India interacted with the startups and Innovation Hub team, and signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with AKTU.

The Uttar Pradesh Global Investors' Summit and the trade show provided an exceptional opportunity for startup founders to connect with experts from all over the world. Union Minister of Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari, and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Shri Yogi Adityanath visited the AKTU's incubation facility, Innovation Hub to encourage student innovation and entrepreneurship.

SIA-India has signed an MoU with Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU), one of the largest technical universities in Asia located in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. The MOU aims to enhance collaboration in the fields of space technology and research.

SIA-India has signed a MoU with Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Foundation Trust and Homi Lab to collaborate on a range of initiatives that aim to further the development of the space industry in India. The Kalam Centre, named for the late 11th President of India, promotes innovations in governance and social enterprises, and seeks to improve youth participation in national and international development. Homi Lab, a venture of Arcturus Education Private Limited, is designed to inspire the next generation of scientists and bridge the gap between the scientific community and the general population. The MoU between the three parties aims to stimulate cooperation, collaboration, and information sharing towards building a sustainable space industry in India.

For more information on Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Foundation, visit https://www.apjabdulkalamfoundation.org/

For more information on Homi Lab, visit www.homilab.com.

2023 International SpaceTech Startup Supporting Program, Taiwan to offer opportunities to boost startup businesses. SIA-India has collaborated with Industrial Technology Research Institute [ITRI] , a world-leading applied technology research institute, in creating a platform for bilateral business development ecosystem to promote new businesses.

Apply by February 28, 2023.

Details: [https://taccplus.com/en/international-program/].

Contact: [email protected]


About TAcc+

Taiwan Accelerator Plus (TAcc+) is the Taiwan government initiative supported by Small and Medium Enterprise Administration, Ministry of Economic Affairs. They aim to support outstanding Taiwan startups to grow and engage with the overseas startups to collaborate with Taiwan spacetech industry.

The Future of Video India aims to address some key questions and look at how business models are changing and adapting in the coming year.

Don't miss out on some of the new session topics for 2023.

• How the Business of Linear, Streaming and Theatrical are Changing in India
• OTT Bundling – Is this the Only Way Forward to Drive Market Growth in India?
• Content Leaders Talk: What Type of Content Will Rock in 2023?
• The State of Female Representation in the Indian Film and Video Sectors
• Unleashing the Potential of Advertising on OTT

Registration open: https://form.jotform.com/230029136189455/prefill/63b505296234369ac48d67dddddd

Satellite launches are expensive, time-consuming and risky – the probability of launch failure for small scale satellites is 41.3%. In addition to incurring losses, space sector entities may be liable for damage caused – this will certainly be the case if the Space Activities Bill, 2017 (Bill) is notified, and the draft Space-based Communications Policy 2020 is adopted. Satellite launch insurance (SLI) could help mitigate risk. However, at present, SLI policies are largely unregulated, and can be prohibitively expensive.

Although the Bill proposes that the Government be responsible for arranging financial guarantees or insurance for commercial space activities, and IN-SPACe was planning to issue guidelines for the insurance of private players, neither has come to fruition.

Before making private players liable for damage caused by their space objects, IN-SPACe must issue guidelines for SLI which prescribe minimum terms (coverage, duration, etc.), prohibit extortionate pricing, and require State-assistance for the procurement of insurance. As the Indian Space Association has suggested, the Government's obligations with respect to financial guarantees and insurance could be met through a corpus that would finance damages, or by the Government agreeing to bear the delta between a prescribed, affordable, monetary limit – which would be borne by the private player – and the actual SLI premia.

DS Govindarajan,
Aniara Space
[email protected]

The aerospace and defence sectors have significant potential in both strategic and economic areas in India. With an expected increase in the civil aviation fleet and a growing demand for manufacturing, MRO and IT services, investment in the civil aviation sector is predicted to reach Rs. 35,000 crore in the next four years. Similarly, the Defence Aerospace Sector has tremendous opportunities for India's MSME sector, particularly in the development of artificial intelligence, advanced defence equipment, robotics, and autonomous systems. Karnataka is at the forefront of the development of the Aerospace and Defence Sector, with 67% of all aircraft and helicopter manufacturing for defence services done in the state. To encourage growth and attract investments, the government has set out policy initiatives, including incentives and concessions for the private sector, skill development programs to address the skills gap, and ease of doing business. By working collaboratively, all stakeholders in Karnataka can achieve common objectives and make it the aerospace and defence manufacturing hub of India.

SIA-India welcomes Hughes Communications India as a Corporate Member. HCI is a leading provider of broadband satellite and managed network services in India, with a "Made in India" portfolio for strategic projects with the central and state governments. The company offers a full range of managed network services to various enterprise segments, including banking, energy, offshore, maritime, telecom, and education. HCI recently announced the launch of India's first high throughput satellite broadband service to cater to the remote unserved and underserved areas in the country. The company's contribution to the Digital India initiative has helped connect schools and provided community Wi-Fi access to remote villages.

SIA-India's association with HCI is expected to bring immense value to the table with expertise and support on the global best practices in the regulatory, spectrum, and standardization realms.

More information about the company is available at www.hughes.in