By Aashish Kumar, ISpA
The Indian Space Association (ISpA) is set to host the 3rd Indian Space Conclave from November 5-7, 2024, at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi. This flagship event will bring together key government, industry, and academia stakeholders to discuss the future roadmap for India’s burgeoning space sector.
Reflecting on the success of last year’s conclave, Dr. Pawan Goenka, Chairman of IN-SPACe, remarked, “…. ISpA has played a crucial role as the collective voice of the Indian space industry, making significant contributions in regulation and policy. Over the past year, the sector has seen remarkable growth, with startups thriving and traditional vendors evolving….”
Dr. Goenka’s words underscored the rapid progress and collaborative spirit that has recently defined India’s space sector. He further emphasized, “…the collaboration between ISRO, IN-SPACe, and industry stakeholders is vital to achieving our Prime Minister’s vision. I look forward to continued partnership and advancement in the space sector, as highlighted in the report released by ISpA and Deloitte…”
Building on this momentum, the upcoming conclave aims to catalyze further growth and innovation in India’s space economy. With the theme “Commercialization of Space: Opportunities and Challenges”, the event will feature high-level policy discussions, technical sessions, and networking opportunities focused on unlocking the full potential of India’s space capabilities. The event comes at a crucial juncture as India seeks to expand its space economy from $8 billion to an impressive $44 billion by 2033, a goal that requires concerted efforts from both public and private sectors.
The three-day program features an impressive lineup of sessions designed to address key aspects of India’s space journey:
Day one will kick off with a focus on “Commercialization of Space,” exploring the roadmap for private sector participation in space activities. A plenary session featuring Hon’ble Minister Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Space; Dr. S. Somanath, Chairman of ISRO, and Ambassador Eric M Garcetti, Ambassador of the United States of America to the Republic of India along with Dr. Pawan Goenka, Chairman of IN-SPACe, will set the tone for the discussions.
Day two shifts focus to “Advancing Space Communications and Global Partnerships.” The day will begin with discussions on harnessing the space spectrum for economic growth, with keynote addresses from Dr Neeraj Mittal, Secretary of the Department of Telecommunications, and Shri Anil Kumar Lahoti, Chairman of TRAI. Sessions on Strengthening Satcom adoption in India: Bridging Challenges and Opportunities. A special panel on “Exploring avenues of Collaboration: Space Domain Awareness & Sustainability” will address the critical need for Space Domain Awareness and sustainability in the sector, with participation from Dr. AS Kiran Kumar, Former ISRO Chairman & Secretary DOS.
Day three culminates the conclave with a focus on international cooperation and human spaceflight with an Inaugural Panel Discussion featuring Major General Brian W. Gibson from the US Space Command, discussing US-India space cooperation opportunities. Key military dignitaries will provide insights on defence and intelligence aspects in space. The panel on “Emerging Opportunities from Human Space Flight in Space and Beyond” will be highlighted, with key representation from Axiom Space on the Axiom-4 mission to ISS.
Throughout the conclave, attendees can expect to gain insights from a diverse array of speakers, including government officials, industry leaders, academics, and international experts. The event will also showcase an exhibition highlighting cutting-edge space technologies and applications from both established players and innovative startups.
Lt Gen AK Bhatt (Retd), Director General of ISpA, commented on the significance of the event, saying, “The 3rd Indian Space Conclave represents a collaborative platform where policy, industry, and innovation converge. By collaborating with IN-SPACe, we’re ensuring that this event will have a lasting impact on India’s space sector.”
One of the key highlights of the conclave will be the focus on public-private partnerships and the role of IN-SPACe in facilitating these collaborations. Sessions will explore how IN-SPACe is working to streamline regulations, provide access to ISRO facilities for private players, and promote innovation in the space sector.
The conclave will also address critical challenges facing the industry, such as financing models for space ventures, developing domestic manufacturing capabilities, and creating a robust supply chain for the space sector. Experts will discuss strategies to overcome these hurdles and position India as a global leader in space technology and services.
International collaboration will be another major theme, with sessions dedicated to exploring partnerships with space agencies and companies from around the world. This global perspective will be crucial as India seeks to expand its presence in the international space market and contribute to global space exploration efforts.
For students and young professionals, the conclave offers a unique opportunity to engage with industry leaders and learn about career prospects in the space sector. Special sessions on skill development and entrepreneurship in the space domain will provide valuable insights for those looking to enter this exciting field.
The 3rd Indian Space Conclave is expected to draw over 1500+ delegates from across India and abroad, including policymakers, business leaders, entrepreneurs, researchers, and students.
As India stands on the cusp of a new era in space exploration and utilization, events like the Indian Space Conclave play a crucial role in aligning stakeholders and charting a clear path forward. With ambitious goals such as a crewed orbital spacecraft by 2025 and a space station by 2035, the discussions and collaborations formed at this conclave will be instrumental in turning these visions into reality.
The 3rd Indian Space Conclave promises to be a milestone event in India’s space journey, bringing together the best minds in the field to address challenges, explore opportunities, and propel the nation towards its stellar aspirations. As the countdown to the event begins, the space community eagerly anticipates the insights, partnerships, and innovations that will emerge from this gathering of space pioneers and enthusiasts.
For more information and to register for the 3rd Indian Space Conclave, visit www.ispaevents.space. Join us in New Delhi this November as we chart the course for India’s space future!
