The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), established in 1969, is at a crossroads. Its aims, role and strategy are all under review. Policy reforms are expected. A decadal plan for space in India is being finalised. The private sector’s role is being redefined. A new nodal agency has been set up to act as a catalyst and a regulator.

  The nodal agency is a gateway through which space industry will interact with ISRO /governemt. Called the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (INSPACEc), it is an autonomous unit under the Department of Space of the Government of India.

   The new agency will ‘govern space activities, permit, regulate, promote, hand-held, monitor and supervise nongovernmental private limited companies (dealing with space in India) as well as usage of DoS-owned facilities by the private sector’.

  It is hoped that the space industry would be represented on its board by....