MC EXCLUSIVE India drafts space traffic safety rules as orbital congestion and SSA market grows

India is drafting a policy for authorisation, management of space situational awareness activities

• India drafts policy to regulate satellite tracking and space object management
• SSA compliance to be mandatory for most Indian space activities
• Industry urges risk-based rules, phased rollout, and clarity on data access

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India is in the process of framing a Space Situational Awareness (SSA) policy to regulate the tracking, monitoring and management of satellites and other objects in Earth's orbit, as the number of spacecraft in space continues to rise sharply, Moneycontrol has learnt.

The draft guidelines, circulated internally with industry bodies and companies for feedback (and a copy of which the publication has seen), seek to make SSA compliance a mandatory part of authorisation for most space activities carried out by Indian entities.

In simple terms, SSA refers to the ability to know what is happening in space at any given time -- where satellites are located, how fast they are moving and whether they are at risk of collision with other objects or debris.

With thousands of satellites already in orbit and many more planned, such capabilities are increasingly seen as essential.

The policy push comes at a time when the global SSA market is expanding rapidly. Industry research estimates suggest the market could grow to around $4 billion by 2030.

What the draft SSA policy proposes

According to the draft guidelines, SSA obligations would apply across the lifecycle of space missions, covering collision avoidance, debris mitigation, tracking and monitoring of space objects, data sharing, cybersecurity and audits.

The framework also introduces separate authorisation requirements for operating space-based sensors, ground-based sensors and SSA service platforms.

The draft has also proposed additional compliance surrounding data governance and security, including encryption, logging, audits and dissemination of SSA data -- especially in cases involving national security.

It also allows the government to seek access to SSA data at "fair market value" and to assume temporary control of SSA infrastructure for national or public interest purposes.

While the guidelines state that compliance should be risk-based and proportionate, much of the detailed implementation has been left open for further clarification.

Industry broadly supportive, but with caveats

Industry body SIA-India, which represents private space companies and startups, said its members broadly recognise the importance of SSA and are already factoring collision avoidance and safety considerations into mission planning.

"Larger and more mature operators are relatively well placed to meet baseline SSA requirements," Anil Prakash (Bobby)

Director General SIA-India told Moneycontrol.  "However, preparedness varies significantly across the ecosystem, particularly for start-ups, small satellite operators, and early-stage SSA service providers."

Cost, compliance and clarity concerns

Among the provisions that could pose the highest operational and cost burden, SIA-India's Prakash pointed to --

• Uniformly applied security and audit requirements regardless of mission risk or scale
• Requirements around data localisation, storage, and long-term logging
• Compliance obligations without clear thresholds or implementation guidance.

"Security measures such as encryption and auditability are broadly understood as necessary... However, when applied uniformly and without differentiation between mission types, data sensitivity levels, or operator scale, these requirements can materially affect commercial viability, particularly for smaller or purely civil SSA services." Prakash explained.

The association has therefore advocated for risk-based application of security controls, proportionate audit mechanisms and clearer guidance on when additional obligations.

Prakash said SIA-India submitted its response on the draft policy to Indian Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) on September 21.

Data access and market competitiveness

Another key concern flagged by industry relates to the draft provision allowing the government to requisition SSA data at "fair market value", without spelling out how such value would be calculated.

"Members have expressed concern that the absence of a defined methodology for determining “fair market value” creates uncertainty.  SIA-India has flagged the need for transparent principles and safeguards around government access to SSA data, including clarity on valuation, scope, and conditions of use. Predictability in this area is important for business planning and long-term investment confidence," Prakash added.

Call for phased rollout and dialogue

The association has recommended phased implementation, tiered compliance and transition periods, particularly for low-risk missions, experimental activities and early-stage operators.

"We have relayed concerns of the industry to IN-SPACe, and we want the latter to open an interactive process over the draft policy," Lt Gen (retd) A.K. Bhatt, Director General of Indian Space Association (ISpA), told Moneycontrol.

As India’s private space sector expands and orbital traffic continues to rise, the SSA framework is emerging as a critical test of how regulators balance space safety, national security and commercial growth.

Moneycontrol has reached out to Department of Space and IN-SPACe for further comments on the matter and the article will be updated when a response is received.