Abstract

The commercialization of the Indian private space sector has gained significant momentum in recent years with the establishment of autonomous bodies under the Department of Space such as the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) and New Space India Limited (NSIL) prompting the need for robust legal frameworks to govern the activities and operations of private entities involved in space exploration and utilization of space resources. Moreover, in the international arena, the states are also encouraged to develop their national legislation for the promotion of space activities and cut loopholes in the current corpus juris spatialis. As the Government visions the growth of the Indian space economy to $44 billion by 2033, the role of private entities in space must be acknowledged and such policies shall be made which make the commercialization of space easy, transparent, safe, and profitable for the private space entities and startups as it will provide for widespread research and development in space, depressurize the public space entities and save a lot of taxpayer’s money. For this, the Government of India has brought up the Space Activities Bill, which has been discussed in this paper for its efficacy. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the legal framework governing the commercial space sector in India, specifically focusing on India's evolving space law. By examining the legal aspects of commercial space activities, including property rights, licensing, liability, space sovereignty, and international cooperation, this study seeks to highlight the opportunities and challenges associated with the commercialisation of the private space sector and offer insights into potential areas of improvement in the legal framework of India.

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