IN-SPACe launches SBaaS, to boost private sector payload opportunities
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The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre ( IN-SPACe ), the commercial arm of ISRO , on Saturday launched the Satellite Bus as a Service (SBaaS) initiative to promote private sector participation in satellite development.The programme aims to create modular small satellite platforms designed by Indian non-governmental entities (NGEs) to host payload applications.The SBaaS model will ease access to flight-ready satellite platforms for startups and private players, boosting innovation pipelines and expanding India's capability to deliver end-to-end space solutions, according to IN-SPACe.The nodal agency space activities through an Announcement of Opportunity (AO) invited proposals from eligible Indian private players to design, develop, and deliver these small satellite bus systems that can host multiple payloads.The initiative will be rolled out in two phases, the Indian regulator said.In Phase I, up to four NGEs will be shortlisted based on their technical capabilities to develop a modular, multi-mission satellite bus. In Phase II, IN-SPACe will support up to two hosted payload missions to demonstrate the platform's utility.'The Satellite Bus as a Service initiative is a pivotal step in democratizing access for India's space sector," Pawan Goenka, Chairman of IN-SPACe said. He added that by enabling NGEs with this opportunity, the aim is to push innovation and reduce reliance on imports.'Together, we are looking at making India a global service provider of small satellite bus and hosted payload services,' Goenka added.Rajeev Jyoti, Director, Technical Directorate at IN-SPACe, added that SBaaS is designed to bridge the gap between payload developers and satellite platforms, providing a cost-effective, standardised solution for in-orbit demonstration of new technologies.
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