Launch pad: Centre opens up space sector for private players to grow

Private players would be allowed to use the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) facilities to improve their competencies

The proposal by finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman to open up the ‘space’ sector to private players and link start-ups to atomic energy R&D has been broadly welcomed by private firms, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

As part of the fourth tranche of the Rs 20 trillion economic package, Sitharaman said private firms are being given access to the space sector.

They would be allowed to use the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) facilities to improve their competencies. She also mentioned about atomic energy reforms, wherein the start-up ecosystem will be connected with the nuclear sector to develop synergy between