IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre) Wiki, Age, Chairman, Headquarters, Objective, Contact Details & More

IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre) is India’s single-window, autonomous nodal regulatory agency under the Department of Space (DoS), Government of India [1]. Established to unlock the Indian space sector for private players, non-governmental entities (NGEs), and spacetech startups [1], IN-SPACe serves as the vital bridge connecting ISRO’s world-class infrastructure with India’s burgeoning private space industry [1, 4].


Quick Wiki & Bio Profile

ParameterDetails
Full NameIndian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre [1]
Acronym / Known AsIN-SPACe
Type of OrganizationAutonomous Single-Window Government Regulatory & Promotional Agency [1]
Cabinet Approval Date24 June 2020
Headquarters Inaugurated10 June 2022 (by PM Narendra Modi)
Headquarters (HQ)Bopal, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India [1]
Regional / ISRO Liaison OfficeAntariksh Bhavan, New BEL Road, Bengaluru, Karnataka [3]
Parent DepartmentDepartment of Space (DoS), Government of India [1]
Minister ResponsiblePrime Minister of India (holding portfolio of Dept of Space) & Dr. Jitendra Singh (MoS PMO/Space) [1]
ChairmanDr. Pawan Kumar Goenka (Padma Shri awardee, Ex-MD of Mahindra & Mahindra) [1, 1, 2]
Joint Secretary / Key OfficialsShri Lochan Sehra (IAS), Shri Prafulla Kumar Jain (Director, PMA), Shri Vinod Kumar (Director, PD) [3]
Key MandateAuthorize, promote, guide, and regulate non-governmental space activities in India [1]
Official Websitewww.inspace.gov.in [2]

Formation, Origin & Vision

Before 2020, space exploration and satellite deployment in India were almost exclusively managed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). While private vendors supplied components, they could not independently build launch vehicles, launch payloads from Indian soil, or build private satellite constellations.

In June 2020, the Union Cabinet approved historic Space Sector Reforms, creating IN-SPACe as an autonomous regulatory body [4].

  Traditional ISRO Framework (Pre-2020)       Modern Reformed Space Ecosystem
  ------------------------------------       -------------------------------
  • ISRO handles R&D, manufacturing,         • ISRO focuses on Core Deep-Space Science & R&D
    launches, and private contracting        • NSIL handles commercial launch contracting
                                             • IN-SPACe acts as Single-Window Regulator & 
                                               Enabler for Private Startups & MSMEs

On 10 June 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally inaugurated the state-of-the-art IN-SPACe World Headquarters at Bopal, Ahmedabad [1].

The primary vision of IN-SPACe is to scale India’s share in the global commercial space economy from ~2% to over 8–10% ($44+ Billion) by fostering private spacetech champions [4].


Core Directorates & Organizational Structure

IN-SPACe operates through three specialized directorates designed to eliminate bureaucratic hurdles [2]:

  1. Promotion Directorate (PD):
    Acts as the industry-facing interface to onboard startups, handhold MSMEs, facilitate technology transfers from ISRO, and coordinate market-access partnerships (like GeM, SIDBI venture funds, and global space agencies) [1, 2, 4].
  2. Technical Directorate (TD):
    Evaluates engineering designs, assesses technical safety, manages the sharing of ISRO’s testing labs, clean rooms, thermal vacuum chambers, and vibration facilities [1, 2, 1].
  3. Program Management & Authorization (PMA) Directorate:
    Issues single-window clearances, security vetting, and launch licenses for rockets, satellites, ground stations, and orbital transponders [2, 3].

Major Historic Milestones & Startups Enabled by IN-SPACe

Under IN-SPACe’s regulatory facilitation, India witnessed landmark private space achievements:

  • Skyroot Aerospace (Prarambh Mission): On 18 November 2022, Skyroot launched Vikram-S, India’s first privately built sub-orbital rocket from ISRO’s Sriharikota launchpad [1].
  • Agnikul Cosmos (Agnibaan SOrTeD): In May 2024, launched India’s first sub-orbital tech demonstrator powered by a world-first single-piece 3D-printed semi-cryogenic engine (Agnilet) from their private launchpad at Sriharikota [4, 4].
  • Pixxel & GalaxEye: Secured authorizations to deploy indigenous hyperspectral and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) Earth-observation satellite constellations [4].
  • Dhruva Space: Successfully validated satellite deployment systems (LEAP platform) aboard ISRO’s PSLV orbital platforms [4].
  • GeM & Defence Integration (April 2025): IN-SPACe officially partnered with the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) to enable direct public and defence procurement of space technology from private startups.

Some Lesser-Known Facts About IN-SPACe

  1. Automotive Legend at the Helm:
    IN-SPACe’s Chairman, Dr. Pawan Kumar Goenka, is the veteran engineer and former Managing Director of Mahindra & Mahindra [2, 3]. He famously led the R&D team that created the iconic Mahindra Scorpio SUV before being appointed to spearhead India’s commercial space regulator in September 2021 [2].
  2. Not a Competitor to ISRO:
    IN-SPACe does not compete with ISRO; rather, it functions as an autonomous facilitator that allows private firms to utilize ISRO’s facilities (like rocket static test rigs, acoustic chambers, and tracking radars) for nominal user charges [1].
  3. Difference between IN-SPACe and NSIL:
    While NSIL (NewSpace India Limited) is the commercial PSU arm that sells ISRO’s launch vehicles and services to commercial clients, IN-SPACe is the independent regulator and enabler for the entire private space ecosystem.
  4. State-of-the-Art Technical Centre in Ahmedabad:
    The IN-SPACe HQ in Ahmedabad houses its own dedicated Design, Space Systems Assembly, Clean Rooms, Integration, and Testing facilities, enabling startups without heavy capital to test flight hardware on-site [1].
  5. FDI Liberalization in Space:
    IN-SPACe played a pivotal role in drafting the updated FDI policy for the space sector, which allows up to 100% Foreign Direct Investment in satellite manufacturing and components.

Official Contact Details & Digital Presence

(Sourced from official Government of India directories, RTI portals, and verified digital pages)

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| IN-SPACe Official Headquarters |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| IN-SPACe Headquarters, |
| Department of Space, Government of India, |
| Opposite ISRO Bopal Guest House, Bopal-Shilaj Road, |
| Bopal, Ahmedabad, Gujarat – 380058, India |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

1. Key Office Addresses & Locations

  • Headquarters (Ahmedabad):
    Department of Space, SAC New Bopal Campus, Bopal-Shilaj Road, Bopal, Ahmedabad, Gujarat – 380058 [1, 3]
  • Liaison / Bengaluru Office:
    IN-SPACe, Department of Space, ISRO HQ Campus, Antariksh Bhavan, New BEL Road, Bengaluru, Karnataka – 560094 [3]

2. Official Email Addresses & Helpdesk

Department / DeskOfficial Email Address
General Enquiries & Supportcontact-us@inspace.gov.in [4] / contact-us[at]inspace[dot]gov[dot]in [1]
Promotion Directorate (PD)director-pd@inspace.gov.in [2] / vinod.kumar@inspace.gov.in [3]
Program Management & Authorization (PMA)prafulla.jain@inspace.gov.in [3]
Joint Secretary / Secretariatlochan.sehra@inspace.gov.in [3]

3. Key Contact Numbers & RTI Officers (Official Directory)

DesignationOfficial NameContact PhoneEmail ID
Transparency Officer / Director (PMA)Shri Prafulla Kumar Jain079-26916972prafulla.jain@inspace.gov.in [3]
Nodal Officer / Director (PD – Bengaluru)Shri Vinod Kumar080-22178311vinod.kumar@inspace.gov.in [3]
First Appellate Authority / Joint SecretaryShri Lochan Sehra (IAS)079-26916959lochan.sehra@inspace.gov.in [3]
Central Public Information Officer (CPIO)Shri Ratnesh Kumar (DD – F&A)079-26916956ratnesh.kumar75@inspace.gov.in [3]
Assistant PIO (APIO)Shri Suryakant Solanki (AD – PGA)079-26916994suryakant.solanki@inspace.gov.in [3]

4. Official Social Media & Web Handles


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What does IN-SPACe stand for?

IN-SPACe stands for Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre [1].

Q2. Is IN-SPACe a private company or a government body?

IN-SPACe is an autonomous government agency functioning directly under the Department of Space (DoS), Government of India [1].

Q3. Where is the headquarters of IN-SPACe located?

The headquarters of IN-SPACe is located at Bopal-Shilaj Road, Bopal, Ahmedabad, Gujarat – 380058, India [1].

Q4. Who is the current Chairman of IN-SPACe?

The Chairman of IN-SPACe is Dr. Pawan Kumar Goenka, former Managing Director of Mahindra & Mahindra and Padma Shri awardee [1, 1, 3].

Q5. How can Indian space startups register with IN-SPACe?

Private space startups and non-governmental entities (NGEs) can register online via the single-window digital portal at www.inspace.gov.in to seek project approvals, facility access, and launch authorizations [1, 2].

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