India’s space regulator sets authorisation rules for hosted payloads
IN-SPACe has issued new rules requiring Indian-owned hosted payloads on Indian or foreign satellites to obtain authorisation. The guidelines also address ITU filings, data retention, international obligations, national security and liability, while exempting foreign payload owners from direct authorisation when using Indian space objects.
India’s space regulator, IN-SPACe, has issued new rules governing hosted payloads operated by private entities on satellites and other space platforms. The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre released the document on September 17 under the Indian Space Policy 2023. It describes hosted payloads as instruments, systems or transponders placed on satellites, including payloads using available capacity or satellite-as-a-service arrangements.
Under the guidelines, an Indian-owned payload hosted on either an Indian or non-Indian satellite requires IN-SPACe authorisation. Applicants may seek approval for a single payload or multiple payloads hosted on a satellite or a constellation. Indian applicants must provide information about the International Telecommunication Union filing under which the host space object and payloads will operate.
The rules also cover payloads owned by non-Indian entities and placed on Indian space objects, as well as payloads using platforms such as the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module. Foreign payload owners do not need to seek direct authorisation from IN-SPACe to use Indian space objects, provided they comply with applicable laws and regulations. The host entity must, however, provide information about the payloads.
The guidelines require operations to comply with international treaties, agreements, standards and other obligations, including the Outer Space Treaty, Liability Convention and Registration Convention. IN-SPACe may regulate operations after consulting other departments and ministries on national-security, geopolitical or harmful-interference concerns. In such cases, the host entity may be directed to stop emissions or operations without delay.
Host entities must retain data relating to Indian territory captured by a payload for at least six months and submit it when requested. IN-SPACe may also order a payload to be switched off if its owner breaches data-dissemination rules. Owners must indemnify the host entity and the Indian government against relevant third-party liability claims.
The Department of Space says India has about 440 space-technology start-ups. IN-SPACe has granted 113 authorisations to 52 non-government entities, including 18 start-ups.
This independently written report is based on information supplied by the named publisher. Vertrix News has not independently verified the source report.