Leveraging Space Applications for a Prosperous and Viksit Bharat
In today's tech-driven world, space technologies have the potential to transform industries and contribute to the Hon’ble PM’s vision of Viksit Bharat.
The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Center (IN-SPACe), an autonomous body under the Department of Space, is driving private sector participation in space activities. As part of its ‘Decadal Vision’ for the space economy, IN-SPACe has launched a campaign to promote the benefits of space technologies across government and industry. The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), through its National Committee on Space, has been actively fostering the adoption of space technologies in Indian industries.
To advance this effort, CII and IN-SPACe organised the Conclave on Adoption of Space Applications across Businesses on 20 March 2025, in New Delhi. Themed "Leveraging Space Applications for a Prosperous and Viksit Bharat," the conclave highlighted opportunities in agriculture, food processing, logistics, banking, insurance, urban planning, infrastructure, energy, and more.
Dr Pawan Goenka, Chairman, IN-SPACe, Department of Space, Government of India mentioned on the immense potential of space applications in driving business growth, especially for industries outside the space sector. He highlighted that the space economy is poised to become a trillion-dollar industry, with India’s space economy currently valued at $8 billion and a target of $44 billion by 2033. However, he stressed that the key to unlocking this growth lies in scaling up demand for space applications, particularly in downstream sectors like agriculture, logistics, energy, and manufacturing. Dr. Goenka emphasized that while space technology has made significant strides, its true commercial value will come from its integration into various industries, encouraging businesses to explore how space data can be used to solve real-world problems, optimize operations, and create new business models.
Dr. Goenka also outlined opportunities for non-space industries to contribute to the space sector, whether through satellite component manufacturing or adopting space technology in their operations. He encouraged private companies to leverage space data for applications like optimizing the location of solar and wind farms, improving logistics, and preventing fraud in insurance claims. While the government has made substantial investments in space, he emphasized that the commercial value will be realized by effectively utilizing space technology in the private sector. He concluded by urging businesses to collaborate with space service providers, creating use cases and solutions tailored to their needs, and expressed hope that this event would mark the beginning of a new era for the space economy, driven by the widespread adoption of space applications
Dr S. Somanath, Former Chairman, ISRO, Department of Space, Government of India highlighted on the untapped potential of space applications in India’s business growth. While the global space economy is valued at around $600 billion, India has yet to fully capitalize on space technology, with most efforts focused on demonstrating these technologies to the government rather than translating them into business opportunities. He highlighted sectors like fisheries, logistics, traffic management, and agriculture, where space data could drive significant economic impact. For instance, satellite data can help fishermen locate fish catch, monitor railway tracks, and optimize supply chains, yet the challenge remains in making this data accessible and actionable for businesses and communities.
Dr. Somanath emphasized the need for government support in providing continuous space data and fostering innovation in data processing technologies, such as AI and edge computing. He stressed that scaling up space applications in India is critical for growing the country’s space economy. He proposed creating business cases and case studies to showcase the potential of these applications and suggested supporting entrepreneurs to develop solutions that convert satellite data into usable business insights. This would not only drive the growth of the downstream sector but also provide the necessary momentum for expanding the upstream space industry, including satellite manufacturing and launches.
Dr Prakash Chauhan, Director, NRSC, ISRO, Government of India.
Emphasized the transformative potential of space applications in driving economic growth and innovation. He highlighted India's unique approach to space technology, focusing on societal benefits rather than military applications. Dr. Chauhan discussed the significant opportunities in the downstream space sector, which includes navigation, Earth observation, and GIS industries, projected to grow globally at a 20-30% rate. He stressed the importance of satellite data for diverse sectors such as agriculture, logistics, energy, and infrastructure, noting its role in land digitization, disaster management, and renewable energy forecasting. He also underlined the need for advanced analytics using AI and machine learning to convert raw satellite data into actionable insights. Furthermore, he pointed out emerging areas like blue economy development, critical mineral mapping, and sustainability certifications for global trade. Dr. Chauhan concluded by expressing optimism about the growing adoption of space technology across industries and its potential to unlock new business opportunities.
Mr Jayant Patil, Member of Executive Committee of Management & Advisor to CMD - L&T Larsen and Toubro Limited.
Highlighted the transformative impact of space applications on innovation, economic growth, and everyday life. He reflected on India’s journey from early satellite-based communication to the current era of unprecedented reforms in the space sector. With initiatives like IN-SPACe, the government has created a unique framework that promotes and regulates space activities, enabling private sector participation. The speaker emphasized the rapid growth of space-tech startups, which have increased from fewer than 10 in 2020 to over 300 today, driving advancements in areas like agriculture, disaster management, infrastructure, and communication. Also stressed the importance of leveraging space data for precise decision-making, reducing costs in infrastructure projects, and addressing real-world challenges like crop damage and natural disasters. He concluded with a call to harness space applications for broader socio-economic benefits and innovation.
Mr Apparao Mallavarapu, Chairman, CII National Committee on Space and CMD, Centum Electronics.
He emphasized the transformative potential of space applications across industries such as agriculture, disaster management, logistics, infrastructure, and energy. He highlighted India's position among the top five space-faring nations and projected the country's share in the global space economy to grow from $8.4 billion to $44 billion by 2033. This growth will be driven by demand creation, capacity building, and private sector participation.
Mr Rohan M Ganapathy, Co-chairman, CII National Committee on Space and Founder and CEO, Bellatrix Aerospace.
He highlighted Dr. Goenka's emphasis on the crucial role of downstream applications in the space industry’s growth, pointing out that while the space economy is projected to exceed $1 trillion, the majority of that growth will come from applications beyond rocket launches and upstream technologies. Rohan stressed the need for more entrepreneurs to harness space technology for business growth, citing examples like the use of space technology during the COVID-19 lockdown to enable remote work. He also acknowledged Dr. Goenka’s insights on the importance of the blue economy, alternative fuels, and the potential of AI in space applications. Rohan also expressed appreciation for Dr. Somnath’s leadership in advancing India’s space sector and the growing number of companies working in space, noting that while there are over 300 companies today, many are still focused on upstream technologies. He reinforced the need for further penetration of private-sector applications to create demand in the space industry.
The event brought together 80+ experts from IN-SPACe, ISRO, space-tech startups, and user industries to drive awareness and industry collaboration.
20 March 2024
New Delhi