• ISRO will launch three new satellites—NVS-03, NVS-04, and NVS-05—by 2026 to restore full functionality to India’s regional navigation system, NavIC.

• Only four of the original IRNSS satellites remain operational, prompting efforts to reduce reliance on foreign systems and strengthen national navigation infrastructure.

• India and the U.S. will launch the jointly developed NISAR Earth observation satellite on July 30, offering open-access data for climate, agriculture, and disaster management worldwide.

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PRESS RELEASE — India is taking steps to strengthen its satellite infrastructure on two fronts: expanding its indigenous navigation satellite system and launching a major Earth observation mission in collaboration with the United States.

According to a recent post from Indian Express, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch three additional satellites for its Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) by 2026. The first of these, NVS-03, is slated for launch by the end of this year, with NVS-04 and NVS-05 to follow at six-month intervals. The announcement was made in a written response to Parliament by Union Minister of State for Space Dr. Jitendra Singh.

IRNSS, also known operationally as NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation), was originally envisioned as a seven-satellite constellation providing navigation coverage over India and a 1,500 km radius around it. While 11 satellites have been launched to date, only four are currently operational. Two satellites failed to reach their intended orbits, and one, NVS-02, launched in January during ISRO’s 100th mission, suffered a technical malfunction during orbit-raising and could not be placed in its designated slot.

The new batch of satellites will help restore full functionality to the NavIC system, which provides regional positioning services similar to GPS and Galileo but tailored for Indian strategic and civilian use. The move comes amid broader efforts to reduce reliance on foreign navigation systems and enhance resilience for national security, transportation, and disaster response.

Meanwhile, India is also preparing for the upcoming launch of the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission, scheduled for July 30 at 17:40 IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. As reported by DD News, this joint initiative between NASA and ISRO is a milestone in international Earth observation cooperation and space technology transfer.

NISAR is the first Earth observation satellite co-developed by the two agencies, with a combined investment exceeding $1.5 billion. The 2,392-kg satellite will be deployed into a sun-synchronous orbit aboard the GSLV-F16 rocket—the first time India’s GSLV has been used for this orbital configuration. The satellite’s payload includes dual-frequency synthetic aperture radars: an L-band SAR supplied by NASA and an S-band SAR developed by ISRO, mounted on a 12-meter deployable antenna.

The mission will provide global revisit data every 12 days, enabling frequent observation of Earth’s land and ice surfaces. With an open-data policy, NISAR will make its data publicly available within 24 to 48 hours, and in near-real time during emergencies. This capability is expected to support applications in climate monitoring, agriculture, and disaster management across both developed and developing countries.

Describing the launch as a “defining moment in India-US space cooperation,” Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized the broader impact of the mission. “NISAR will not only serve India and the United States but will also provide critical data for countries around the world,” he stated. The initiative is seen as a tangible example of India’s growing participation in global science efforts and its evolving role as a technology partner to the international community.

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• Intelsat has received authorization from the Indian government to offer satellite coverage to India’s broadcast media sector, marking a major regulatory milestone for the company.
• The approval covers four geostationary satellites (IS-17, IS-20, IS-36, IS-39) providing C-band coverage to enhance content delivery and distribution within India and globally.
• Following approval by IN-SPACe, Intelsat secured new contracts with three of India’s largest media firms, accelerating its market entry and expanding its footprint in the region.

PRESS RELEASE – MCLEAN, Va. – Intelsat, operator of one of the world’s largest integrated satellite and terrestrial networks, became one of the first foreign satellite operators to receive approval from the Indian government to provide extensive satellite coverage directly to India’s broadcast media companies, a significant regulatory achievement that puts Intelsat on an accelerated path to offering new services and further India investment.

The company has secured authorization for four geostationary (GEO) satellites providing C-band coverage over India: IS-17, IS-20, IS-36 and IS-39 satellites. The approved satellite fleet will primarily serve India’s dynamic broadcast media industry, enabling enhanced content delivery and distribution capabilities across the subcontinent and from India to other regions of the world. This regulatory milestone underscores Intelsat’s commitment to expanding its presence in India and fostering technological advancement in the region.

“This approval represents a significant step forward in Intelsat’s contribution to India’s space commerce sector, a source of great national pride,” said Gaurav Kharod, Regional Vice President for Asia Pacific at Intelsat. “Our extensive satellite network with four satellites covering the region will provide Indian broadcasters with reliable, high-quality connectivity solutions that meet their evolving needs. This authorization enables us to better serve our customers and contribute to India’s growing media landscape.”

Following the authorization from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), Intelsat won new business from three of India’s largest media companies. This new and expanded service will see Intelsat deliver the full portfolio of media content to viewers in India.

• India’s PSLV-C61 mission failed to deploy its payload after a third-stage malfunction halted the launch of the EOS-09 Earth observation satellite.
• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) reported a drop in chamber pressure in the rocket’s third stage following a successful lift-off and first two stages, marking only the third failure in PSLV’s operational history since 1993.
• Despite the setback, a new study underscores the strategic role of India’s space sector in national economic development, projecting a fivefold growth in the space economy over the next decade.

India’s latest satellite mission suffered a setback early Sunday when the third stage of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C61) malfunctioned, preventing the deployment of the Earth observation satellite EOS-09. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) confirmed the anomaly after a smooth lift-off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.

The PSLV, a four-stage launch vehicle, performed as expected through its first two stages, ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan said after the attempt. However, ISRO Chairman reported a drop in chamber pressure in the solid-fuel third stage, disrupting the rocket’s trajectory and halting the mission. EOS-09, a 1,696-kilogram satellite equipped with a Synthetic Aperture Radar payload, was designed for high-resolution imaging under all weather conditions, including at night.

“The PSLV is a four stage vehicle. Up to the second stage, the performance was quite normal,” Narayanan explained in a televised statement. “Third stage, motor started perfectly, but during the functioning of the third stage, we are seeing a observation, and the mission could not be accomplished. After analysis, we shall come back.”

The failure marked only the third instance of a PSLV malfunction since its debut in 1993, underscoring the rocket’s otherwise consistent track record, The Economic Times reported. The PSLV-C61 mission, India’s 101st space mission, was the vehicle’s 63rd flight and the 27th using the extended XL configuration. A Failure Analysis Committee (FAC) will now investigate the malfunction, according to the . The panel will include senior ISRO engineers and external experts and is expected to examine flight data, launch preparations, and subsystem performance.

ISRO is expected to release a detailed technical assessment following the FAC’s review.

India’s space sector is emerging as a quiet force behind the country’s economic transformation, according to a new study by researchers from Trivandrum, Ahmedabad University, NIAS, and the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology. The report finds that beyond satellite launches, the industry is creating jobs, driving innovation, and expanding digital access to underserved regions. Using more than a decade of data and a structured impact framework, the researchers estimate the sector directly employs around 22,000 people and generates over ₹2,940 crore ($354 million) annually through ISRO’s commercial arm, NSIL. If current growth trends hold, the study projects India’s space economy could expand fivefold over the next decade.

• India’s space economy is expanding beyond satellite launches to drive job creation, innovation and digital access, with potential to grow fivefold over the next decade, according to a May 2025 study.
• The sector employs around 22,000 people across ISRO, public-private enterprises, and startups, with private space companies increasing from 11 in 2019 to over 400 in 2024.
• Space applications now account for 75% of the sector’s value, supporting services in agriculture, disaster management, rural connectivity, and climate monitoring.

India’s space sector is doing more than launching satellites — it’s quietly reshaping the national economy, creating jobs, driving innovation and expanding digital services to underserved regions, according to a new study. And if current trends continue, the country’s space economy could grow fivefold in the next decade, added the research team, which included Sunil Mani, Trivandrum and Ahmedabad University; V.K. Dadhwal,
National Institute of Advanced Studies and C.S. Shaijumon, Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology.

The paper offers a detailed assessment of India’s space economy. Drawing on over a decade of data and applying a structured impact framework, the authors estimate that India’s space sector now directly employs approximately 22,000 people and generates revenues exceeding ₹2940 crore ($354 million) annually, based on figures from NSIL, ISRO’s commercial arm. The findings, reported in an in-press edition of Space Policy, show that space activities — once confined to launch pads and labs — now influence agriculture, healthcare, disaster management, and rural development across the country.

A Multi-Layered Sector With Broad Economic Reach

The study defines India’s space economy in three segments: space manufacturing, operations and applications.

• Manufacturing includes the production of launch vehicles and satellite components.
• Operations cover launch services and ground control.
• Applications span services like satellite communications, remote sensing and navigation.

Space applications account for the largest share, comprising nearly 75% of the total space economy. This includes everything from Direct-to-Home (DTH) satellite television to satellite-based weather forecasting and rural connectivity. These technologies now support large-scale programs in agriculture, education, urban planning and natural resource management.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) remains the central player in the ecosystem, the researchers report. But the study finds that private sector involvement is accelerating, supported by policy changes like the Indian Space Policy 2023 and the creation of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe). These reforms have opened the door for non-governmental entities to participate in space activities, from satellite manufacturing to data services.

Job Growth Shifts from Government to Private Sector

Employment patterns underscore this shift. While ISRO’s workforce has declined slightly — dropping by about 1.2% annually since 2012 — the share of scientific staff has grown, and new job creation is now concentrated in startups and private firms. The number of private space companies jumped from just 11 in 2019 to over 400 by 2024, including 229 active startups, according to the study, and the average space startup employs around 11 people.

Privatization is a national and international trend, the researchers point out.

“This trend reflects a broader governmental policy shift towards the privatization of the space sector,” the researchers write. “The reduction in public sector employment in the space industry is part of a global trend where governments are increasingly relying on the private sector to drive innovation and efficiency. For instance, the U.S. private space workforce grew by 4.8 % in 2023, indicating a robust expansion in commercial space activities, particularly in launch-related hiring.”

The sector’s job creation extends beyond engineering and rocket science. Remote sensing data supports government programs in forestry, urban planning, groundwater management, and even rural land titling through schemes like Gati Shakti and SVAMITVA. The result is a growing demand for geospatial analysts, software developers, and digital services providers.

The study estimates that employment in public and private enterprises linked to ISRO totals over 3,000 people, with an additional 2,500 jobs found in space startups. Jobs are also being created in educational programs aligned with space sciences, with over 100 universities now offering degrees in geoinformatics, remote sensing, or aerospace engineering.

Revenue on the Rise, but Budget Fluctuations Persist

India’s space economy generated new revenue streams across commercial launches, satellite services and exports, according to the study. ISRO’s commercial arm, NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), reported ₹2940 crore in revenue in 2022–23. The sector has experienced an average annual revenue growth of 24% over the past several years, despite budget volatility.

The study notes that ISRO’s budget saw a significant drop in 2020–21 — falling by 27% in real terms — and again in 2022–23. Still, India’s space economy was valued at approximately ₹38,700 crore in 2020–21, representing 0.2% of national GDP. That translates to roughly 1.11% of the global space economy, which was estimated at $447 billion.

Recent policy developments aim to reverse the trend of budget contraction. The 2024–25 Union Budget includes a ₹1000 crore venture capital fund to support private space enterprises, with the explicit goal of expanding the space economy fivefold over the next 10 years.

Efficiency and Social Inclusion: The Hidden Value

The study highlights how space technologies are creating efficiencies across a range of industries, as well as driving some hidden benefits. Satellite imagery has enabled precision farming, better logistics and more accurate weather forecasting, helping farmers avoid crop losses and improving fleet management for transportation companies.

The impact on social inclusion may be one of those hidden benefits. Satellite communications have expanded tele-education, telemedicine, and mobile banking services in rural areas. The Bhuvan geoportal, developed by ISRO, supports disaster response, forest monitoring, and even the tracking of rural infrastructure built under India’s national employment guarantee scheme.

Meanwhile, NavIC, India’s regional satellite navigation system, is being integrated into drones, maritime navigation, Aadhaar enrollment systems, and fleet tracking services. Both platforms are seen as key to bridging digital and development divides between urban and rural India.

The ripple effects of India’s space investments are being felt in fields far from launchpads. ISRO has transferred over 535 technologies to around 235 industries, including materials used in consumer products, medical devices, and water purification systems.

Environmental monitoring also benefits from satellite data. Applications include forest cover mapping, groundwater tracking, and urban heat assessment. Space-based tools now support India’s efforts in climate adaptation and sustainability, contributing to national goals in resource management and disaster resilience.

The study points to the growing role of space-derived data in eco-innovation — such as using satellite inputs for solar and wind energy assessments — and notes that these capabilities may help India meet its renewable energy targets more efficiently.

Methods and Framework

The researchers adopt an analytical model that segments the space economy’s impacts into six categories: job creation, new revenue, efficiency, cost avoidance, social inclusion and environmental outcomes. This framework is adapted from OECD and UK Space Agency methodologies and aligns with global best practices for measuring the spillover effects of high-tech industries.

Data sources include ISRO annual reports, government budget documents, industry surveys, and startup funding data compiled from Indian and international sources. The study also integrates information from sector-specific schemes in infrastructure, digital services, and rural development.

Limitations and Need for Better Data

The study offers a comprehensive view of India’s space economy, however the authors acknowledge the need for better data quality and sector granularity. Much of the current employment and revenue estimation relies on proportional allocation and indirect indicators. The lack of satellite accounts dedicated to space-related output means many impacts are likely undercounted.

There is also limited visibility into indirect employment effects and the long-term returns on investment. For example, while geospatial services and DTH broadcasting clearly benefit from ISRO’s satellite infrastructure, the economic ripple effects in sectors like e-commerce or fintech remain poorly measured.

Future Directions and Policy Recommendations

The authors call for expanded data collection and improved metrics to track the space sector’s growth. They recommend the creation of formal economic models and satellite accounts to measure direct, indirect, and induced effects. They also suggest more robust benchmarking against global peers and caution against over-reliance on descriptive or promotional assessments.

To sustain growth, the study emphasizes the need for an enabling policy environment that nurtures public-private partnerships, lowers barriers for startups, and ensures consistent funding. Government support, while still central, should focus on regulatory facilitation and demand aggregation, allowing private firms to scale technologies developed with public investment.

The researchers suggest that India’s space economy is not only a source of national pride — it’s an emerging pillar of economic resilience, innovation and inclusive growth. With the right policies and data infrastructure, the country could solidify its position as a competitive, cost-effective and socially impactful space power.

The team writes: “The paper concludes that India’s space economy, while currently modest in scale, has a disproportionately large developmental impact. As public and private investments grow, these impacts are expected to deepen and diversify, reinforcing the strategic and economic relevance of space as a driver of India’s inclusive growth and technological progress.”

Space Insider Market Intelligence Platform provides a continuously updated analysis of this rapidly evolving sector. Read about our latest Indian Space Tech Market Map here.

• A global competition backed by Taiwan aims to foster space innovation with a focus on technologies that could support lunar missions and commercial space operations.
• The 2025 RunSpace Challenge, open to students, startups, and professionals worldwide, offers cash prizes, training, and potential satellite launch opportunities through collaborations with Axiom Space, HEX20, and others.
• Submissions close June 30, with finalists selected in August and a final review in September, as part of Taiwan’s broader strategy to grow its space industry and global partnerships.

A global space technology competition backed by Taiwan’s government is offering aspiring innovators a potential path to the stars and beyond.

Now in its fourth year, the 2025 RunSpace competition invites students, researchers, startups, and professionals to submit novel ideas for advancing space technology, including projects that may one day support lunar missions. The event is part of Taiwan’s broader national strategy to promote its space industry, and this year features international partnerships with companies including Axiom Space (U.S.), HEX20 (India), Eutelsat OneWeb (France), ispace (Japan), and Odysseus Space (Luxembourg).

The contest, which spans from April to November 2025, is organized under Taiwan’s “Space Industry Promotion & Talent Cultivation Program” led by the Industrial Development Administration and co-sponsored by multiple government agencies. It features three competition categories: an Innovation track for creative ideas, an Implementation track for advanced solutions, and a Sponsor Special Topic hosted by HEX20, which offers participants the opportunity to design a CubeSat payload that may fly on a 2027 satellite launch.

The call for lunar innovation comes as nations and companies alike ramp up plans for permanent presence on the Moon. NASA’s Artemis program, China’s Chang’e missions, and commercial players such as ispace and Axiom Space are all involved in lunar initiatives.

In 2023, Taiwan announced a multi-year roadmap for building out satellite manufacturing, launch support, and scientific payload capabilities. RunSpace serves as both a talent pipeline and a soft-power tool to engage with international partners.

Participants are required to submit a 10-slide proposal by June 30, and finalists will be selected by August for further mentorship and a final review in September. Cash prizes total nearly $10,000 USD, and all finalists will receive exposure to space executives and potential collaborators at the November awards and demo day.

The program also includes training sessions led by companies like ispace and Odysseus Space, helping participants gain insight into commercial lunar operations and emerging markets in Earth-Moon logistics.

“Whether you’re aiming to enhance satellite communication, explore lunar missions, or propose novel space techniques, RunSpace is your launchpad,” the organizers note.

For more information, or to register, click here to go to the official site.

• SatLeo Labs, a space-tech startup, has raised $3.3 million in pre-seed funding led by Merak Ventures, with contributions from Huddle Ventures, GVFL, Java Capital, IIMA Ventures, PointOne Capital, and angel investors Manish Gandhi and Dheer Baldua.
• The funding will be utilized to advance SatLeo’s proprietary thermal imaging technology for predicting economic and environmental risks, supporting feasibility studies, team growth, infrastructure development, and pilot testing.
• With over $25 million in potential contracts and collaborations with ISRO and IN-SPACe, SatLeo Labs aims to launch its first thermal imaging satellite soon, positioning India prominently in the global geospatial analytics market.

Space-tech startup SatLeo Labs has secured $3.3 million in pre-seed funding, aiming to change how thermal imaging from satellites is used to predict and mitigate economic and environmental risks worldwide.

The Times of India reports the funding round was led by Merak Ventures and included significant investment from Huddle Ventures, GVFL, Java Capital, IIMA Ventures, PointOne Capital, and angel investors Manish Gandhi and Dheer Baldua. The funds will support SatLeo Labs in advancing its proprietary thermal imaging technology, conducting feasibility studies, and obtaining necessary regulatory approvals. Additionally, the company plans to expand its team, enhance its infrastructure, and carry out pilot tests to validate its technological solutions and bolster industry partnerships.

“Each 1°C rise in temperature can reduce global GDP by up to 10%. Our thermal data helps detect risks before they turn into billion-dollar losses — from crop failures to wildfires,” Shravan Bhati, Co-founder & CEO of SatLeo Labs, said to The Times of India.

The startup has already attracted significant industry attention, accumulating over $25 million in Letters of Intent (LOIs) from potential clients, showcasing robust market interest and confidence in their thermal imaging solutions. With a highly skilled team comprising former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) scientists and established collaborations with ISRO and the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe), SatLeo Labs is strategically positioned to make impactful contributions to the geospatial analytics market.

“We’re backing them for a genuine tech breakthrough that makes thermal data more useful, accessible and affordable,” Sheetal Bahl, Partner at Merak Ventures is quoted as saying.

The startup’s immediate goal is to launch its first dedicated thermal imaging satellite in the near future. This mission will enhance India’s role in the commercial space sector, positioning the nation as a global leader in providing innovative, cost-effective satellite technologies aimed at worldwide markets.

• Airtel has signed an agreement with SpaceX to bring Starlink’s satellite internet services to India, pending regulatory approvals for SpaceX to operate in the country.
• The partnership will explore Starlink’s integration with Airtel’s retail and enterprise offerings, aiming to improve connectivity for businesses, communities, schools, and health centers in rural and underserved areas.
• By adding Starlink alongside its existing partnership with Eutelsat OneWeb, Airtel aims to enhance its broadband coverage nationwide, leveraging advanced satellite technology to complement its existing infrastructure and provide reliable internet services.

PRESS RELEASE –Airtel has announced an agreement with SpaceX to bring Starlink’s high-speed internet services to its customers in India. This is the first agreement to be signed in India, which is subject to SpaceX receiving its own authorizations to sell Starlink in India. It enables Airtel and SpaceX to further explore how Starlink can complement and expand Airtel’s offerings, and how Airtel’s expertise in the Indian market complements SpaceX’s direct offerings to consumers and businesses.

Airtel and SpaceX will explore offering Starlink equipment in Airtel’s retail stores, Starlink services via Airtel to business customers, opportunities to connect communities, schools, and health centers, among many others, in even the most rural parts of India. Airtel and SpaceX will also explore how Starlink could help expand and enhance the Airtel network, as well as SpaceX’s ability to utilize and benefit from Airtel’s ground network infrastructure and other capabilities in India.

Airtel remains committed to delivering comprehensive and reliable connectivity and digital solutions leveraging advanced technology with a focus on customer-centric services. By adding Starlink, (in addition to its existing alliance with Eutelsat OneWeb) to its offerings, Airtel will further its ability to offer nationwide connectivity and connect previously underserved areas, particularly those with limited to no coverage today. With Starlink enterprise suite, Airtel will be able to offer enterprises, businesses, and communities comprehensive and seamless connectivity packages.

“Working with SpaceX to offer Starlink to Airtel customers in India is a significant milestone and further demonstrates our commitment to next-generation satellite connectivity,” said Gopal Vittal, Managing Director and Vice Chairman, Bharti Airtel Ltd. “This collaboration enhances our ability to bring world-class high-speed broadband to even the most remote parts of India, ensuring that every individual, business, and community has reliable internet. Starlink will complement and enhance Airtel’s suite of products to ensure reliable and affordable broadband for our Indian customers – wherever they live and work.”

“Technology is always evolving and we’re committed to staying at the forefront of innovation so that we can continue to bring the best connectivity experience for our customers. This includes collaborating with global leaders like SpaceX to extend our reach and add new coverage to customers throughout all of India.”

“We are excited to work with Airtel and unlock the transformative impact Starlink can bring to the people of India. We are constantly amazed by the incredible and inspiring things that people, businesses and organizations do when they are connected via Starlink,” said Gwynne Shotwell, President and Chief Operating Officer of SpaceX. “The team at Airtel has played a pivotal role in India’s telecom story, so working with them to complement our direct offering makes great sense for our business.”