INSPACE INVITES PROPOSALS TO ESTABLISH SPACE LABS ACROSS ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS
Introduction
- The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) has invited proposals to establish Antariksh Prayogshala (Space Labs) in selected academic institutions across India.
- The initiative aims to strengthen India’s space technology ecosystem and develop future-ready human resources.
- A Request for Proposal (RfP) has been issued for this purpose.
ABOUT ANTRIKSH PRAYOGSHALA INITIATIVE
- Antariksh Prayogshala is a first-of-its-kind initiative to create state-of-the-art space laboratories within Indian academic institutions.
- The labs are designed to provide hands-on training and practical exposure to students pursuing space technology and related courses.
- The initiative bridges the gap between academic knowledge and real-world space applications.
OBJECTIVE
- The initiative aims to translate academic learning into deployable space capabilities.
- It promotes applied research, early-stage innovation, and skill development.
- It strengthens industry–academia collaboration in the space sector.
- It supports India’s long-term goal of becoming a leading global space economy.
COVERAGE & REGIONAL REPRESENTATION
- Up to seven academic institutions will be selected under the scheme.
- Selection will be carried out in a phased manner.
- To ensure balanced regional representation, one Space Lab will be established in each geographical zone of India.
- The labs will also be available for use by Non-Governmental Entities (NGEs) in the respective zones.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT BY IN-SPACE
- IN-SPACe will provide financial support of up to 75 percent of the total project cost.
- The maximum financial assistance is capped at ₹5 crore per institution.
- Funds will be released on a milestone-linked basis.
SELECTION PROCESS
- The selection process will be conducted in two stages.
- In the first stage, institutions will be screened based on eligibility criteria mentioned in the RfP.
- In the second stage, shortlisted institutions will be evaluated and ranked by an Empowered Committee.
- Final selection will be done on a zone-wise basis.
ROLE IN INDUSTRY ACADEMIA COLLABORATION
- Antariksh Prayogshala will function as a shared platform for students, researchers, and industry stakeholders.
- The labs will support collaborative research aligned with industry needs.
- This will improve the practical relevance of academic research in the space sector.
SKILL DEVELOPMENT & INNOVATION
- The initiative focuses on hands-on and experiential learning.
- It supports early-stage innovation and experimentation by students and researchers.
- The labs will help create a skilled workforce ready for the space industry.
STATEMENT BY IN-SPACE
- According to the Director of the Promotion Directorate at IN-SPACe, the initiative is designed to build depth, scale, and sustainability in India’s space ecosystem.
- He highlighted that the labs align academic efforts with real industry requirements.
ABOUT IN-SPACE
- IN-SPACe is a single-window, independent, nodal agency functioning as an autonomous body under the Department of Space (DoS).
- It was established following space sector reforms to enable and facilitate private sector participation.
- IN-SPACe is responsible for promoting, enabling, authorising, and supervising space activities of Non-Governmental Entities (NGEs).
- Its responsibilities include:
- Authorising NGEs to build launch vehicles and satellites and provide space-based services.
- Facilitating sharing of space infrastructure and facilities under the control of DoS and ISRO.
- Enabling the establishment of new space infrastructure and facilities.
- IN-SPACe acts as an interface between ISRO and private entities.
- It assesses how India’s space resources can be optimally utilised to expand space-based activities.
- It also evaluates the needs of private players, academic institutions, and research bodies and works with ISRO to accommodate these requirements.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE INITIATIVE
- Antariksh Prayogshala strengthens India’s institutional capacity in space education and research.
- It enhances the participation of private and academic institutions in the space sector.
- The initiative contributes to self-reliance, innovation, and global competitiveness.
CONCLUSION
- The Antariksh Prayogshala initiative represents a major step toward integrating education, research, and industry in India’s space ecosystem.
- By providing funding, infrastructure, and collaborative platforms, it supports the creation of a robust and future-oriented space workforce.
- The initiative aligns with India’s ambition to emerge as a major global space power.
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