Govt exploring ways to allow industry to use ISRO premises for setting up satellite ground stations

Ground stations are a key part of the ground segment, which is the infrastructure that connects satellites to Earth.

Space regulator IN-SPACe and the Indian Space Research Organisation are exploring the feasibility of a framework for permitting industry to use ISRO’s premises for setting up of satellite ground stations, a white paper by the space regulator has said.

The stations on earth communicate with satellites in space by sending and receiving signals.

The white paper "Ground Station As a Service in (GSaaS) in India” explored the opportunities and problems facing the industry in establishing ground stations and the concept of ground stations as a service (GsaaS).

"Facilitating the establishment of ground stations by NGEs (non-governmental entities) within the premise of ISRO for providing services… as part of GSaaS, could provide a boost in promoting this potential high growth vertical of Indian space economy," the paper said.

The paper, released on September 27, describes GSaaS as the outsourcing of ground station operations to specialised service-providers who offer a range of services on a subscription or pay-per-use basis.

The industry has sought IN-SPACe’s support for ground stations within ISRO premises.

During a meeting with industry and government stakeholders, a view emerged that while considering ISRO premises for ground stations, sharing of such facilities should be encouraged by multiple GSaaS service providers or consortium, the white paper said.

It would lead to several benefits "including reducing the need for accommodating multiple stations at the same site, cost benefits, resource optimization, enhanced service coverage, and collaborative innovation".

‍Recently, IN-SPACe authorised Hyderabad-based space tech startup Dhruva Space's application to provide GSaaS offerings.

Dhruva Space has indigenously designed and developed six ground stations in VHF and UHF bands, two in S and/or X bands. Ground stations use a variety of frequency bands for communication.

IN-SPACe also recently granted authorisation to Azista BST Aerospace Private Limited, Hyderabad, for a ground station in UHF frequency bands.

Azista BST Aerospace will support its satellites and provide GSaaS for operations and data reception from remote-sensing satellites to Indian as well as international customers, a release said.