The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) and the Karnataka government are signing MoUs to accelerate the state's emergence as India's leading commercial space launchpad.

Executed by the Department of Electronics, Information Technology, Biotechnology, and Science & Technology on behalf of the state government, the MoUs encompass the creation of a Centre of Excellence for Space Technologies in Bengaluru and the development of a public-private Space Manufacturing Park to support next-generation satellite and launch vehicle production.

Reports indicate that the agreements outline the structure for cooperation between the Karnataka government and IN-SPACe in creating the Centre of Excellence and the manufacturing park.

Karnataka possesses a well-developed ecosystem throughout the space sector value chain that includes government entities, private companies, MSMEs, ISRO headquarters, DRDO laboratories, and public sector enterprises like HAL, BEL, BHEL, and NAL, as well as prominent academic and research organizations.

The MoUs are designed to bolster the state's NewSpace ecosystem in accordance with the national vision set forth in the Indian Space Policy, 2023, and promote innovation within the industry.

IN-SPACe has been advancing India's space goals by facilitating business operations and promoting involvement from both governmental and non-governmental organizations. With the increase in global space activity, IN-SPACe is crucial in influencing India's space economy.

The MoUs established with Karnataka signify a tactical decision to synchronize local ambitions with national objectives, the statement highlighted.

The contracts were executed by Dr. Ekroop Caur, IAS, Secretary to the Government (Electronics, IT, Biotechnology, and Science & Technology), Government of Karnataka; and Lochan Sehra, IAS, Joint Secretary, IN-SPACe, with Dr. Shalini Rajneesh, IAS, Chief Secretary to the Government of Karnataka, and Dr. Pawan Goenka, Chairman, IN-SPACe, as witnesses.

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"The MoUs with IN-SPACe mark a new chapter in Karnataka's space journey, creating a seamless talent and value chain with the regulatory support needed to compete globally," says Shalini Rajneesh.