A small step to the moon, a giant leap for India's space ambitions
India becoming the first country to soft land on the south pole of the moon on Wednesday, Indian space policy advocacy groups, industry associations and private companies said it will trigger commercial opportunities for both Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) and private players involved in the successful mission.
It will also increase bilateral collaborations for India in the sector, experts added.
«The Chandrayaan-3 mission had participation of over 400 companies from both public and private sectors. This will help Isro to do more global and commercial projects and this accomplishment will also help the private players like Anant Technologies and Walchand Industries to take part in international requirements,» said Anil Prakash, director general of Satcom Industry Association (SIA-India).
«Space is one of the agendas in G20 meetings and now more developed countries will look at India for more bilateral collaborations,» Prakash added.
SIA counts private satellite communication giants such as US-based Hughes, UK's Inmarsat, Canada's Telesat, Viasat and Asiasat among its key members. It also has startups such as Dhruva Space and Astrogate Labs as its members.
«This mission is the first step towards many accomplishments like space stations to be established on the moon, colonization and the lunar surface being explored around for mining, water and even space tourism where India is seen to play a key role,» said Anil Bhatt, director general at Indian Space Association (ISpA) said.
ISpA also pointed out that achievement will have a «trickle-down effect» on Indian private companies in the space sector and will also boost India's image among Artemis Accords signatory countries.
In June, when Prime Minister Narendra
