International Space Flight (ESA, Russia, China and others) > Indian Launchers
Space Activities Bill, 2017
sanman:
Govt unveils draft of law to regulate space sector:
http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/govt-unveils-draft-of-law-to-regulate-space-sector/article20629386.ece
--- Quote ---First bid in 50 years seeks to define & regulate activities as new players enter
The draft of the country’s first Space Law, unveiled on Tuesday, stipulates licences for all space-related players and activities. The draft also sets out penalties of ₹1 crore and above and jail terms for violations.
The proposed Space Activities Bill, 2017 that will go before Parliament, also seeks to keep the government out of any liability arising out of harm that these commercial activities may cause — to people, environment, other countries or outer space.
So far, the national space agency Indian Space Research Organisation’s major works have related to satellites, launchers and applications. These were governed by the Satellite Communication Policy, 2000; the Remote Sensing Data Policy, 2011; and international treaty obligations on outer space activities as mandated by the UN Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space or UNCOPUOS.
New body proposed
The draft Bill defines objects, people and geography that will come under the future law. While all persons or entities engaged in space will now need a licence, the government will form a new authorised body for this purpose.
The Centre will keep a registry of all space objects.
The draft has been posted on the website of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Stakeholders have a month to send in their comments, according to a note signed by G. Ravi Shankar, Under Secretary in the Department of Space.
Explaining the need for a Space Law now, the notification says increasing applications of Space-based solutions have meant an increased participation of private sector industry and startups. “Commercial opportunities in space activities and services, nationally and internationally, demand a higher order of participation by private sector agencies. This situation demands a necessary legal environment for orderly performance and growth of space sector,” it said.
A.S. Kiran Kumar, ISRO Chairman and Secretary, Department of Space, stated at an industry event in Delhi on Monday that the country needed to at least double the number of its 42 functional satellites in order to meet national demands. ISRO has started the process of selecting industry teams to quickly build spacecraft and launch vehicles for it in the next two to three years. It also launches many foreign spacecraft for a fee on the PSLV launcher.
Multiple players
According to a senior DoS official who requested not to be named, “Until now, ISRO being the only player never felt the need for a separate law. Now, many Indian and foreign companies are setting up shops here as well as 20-odd Indian startups. It is very important now that to have a regulatory mechanism and law to govern these activities.”
The draft clearly defines space players, licences, violations, the official said, adding that detailed specific guidelines may come in later for each activity in consultation with stakeholders and industry bodies. The draft law is available at:
https://www.isro.gov.in/update/21-nov-2017/seeking-comments-draft-space-activities-bill-2017-stake-holders-public-regarding
--- End quote ---
Go to that link at the end to see the first draft of the new "Space Activities Bill, 2017" :D
sanman:
The first draft of "Space Activities Bill, 2017" is now available on ISRO's website:
https://www.isro.gov.in/update/21-nov-2017/seeking-comments-draft-space-activities-bill-2017-stake-holders-public-regarding
I was just reading it, and gave my small nitpick feedback:
--- Quote ---Subject: Space Activities Bill, 2017: Comments & Suggestions
To: [email protected]
Dear Sirs,
Section 2 G defines "space object" as "any object launched or intended to
be launched, on an orbital trajectory around the earth or to a destination
beyond the earth orbit;"
This however makes no explicit mention of *sub-orbital* trajectories. It
seems entirely possible that sub-orbital launches and payloads meant for
them could comprise a legitimate portion of market demand. There are for
example payloads/experiments which may only require a short-duration
exposure to zero-G environment of space, for which a simple sub-orbital
trajectory may be economical and preferable to an orbital one.
Perhaps you may wish to extend your terms of reference and definitions to
include "near-space object"?
Regards,
--- End quote ---
I dunno, perhaps it was nitpickery, but I feel like regulation of commercial space activities should also explicitly cover sub-orbital launches along with orbital ones. Agree or disagree?
sanman:
What is the Space Activities Bill?
http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/the-hindu-explains-what-is-the-space-activities-bill-2017/article20680984.ece
Lar:
Why does *everything* need a license by a new body set up for this purpose? Isn't that just an extension of the License Raj that has held India back for decades now?
sanman:
--- Quote from: Lar on 11/23/2017 03:45 pm ---Why does *everything* need a license by a new body set up for this purpose? Isn't that just an extension of the License Raj that has held India back for decades now?
--- End quote ---
Perhaps because various space-related technologies and activities overlap with areas sensitive to national & international security, and can potentially be dangerous in the wrong hands. That's partly why I felt it was important to extend their definition beyond just orbital to also include sub-orbital stuff too. It's also why I think private development of certain technologies is best restricted to designated space technology parks or zones where that intellectual property can be kept safe, rather than being done just any old place inside the country. Better to have appropriate controls in place than for some negative incident to occur that triggers some abrupt crackdown by the govt and casts a pall over the entire industry. In India, things have a way of mushrooming in non-linear chaotic ways very quickly.
Better safe, than sorry.
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