Such parks will provide a one-stop location for space-technology-related infrastructure such as testing facilities and services, regulatory sandboxes, technology standards and more.
The Tamil Nadu government plans to set up a space industry and propellant park near Thoothukudi to complement the Indian Space Research Organization’s plan to launch a small satellite launch complex at Kulasekarapattinam.
In this regard, the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) on March 7 to select a consultant for a feasibility report for setting up a Space Industrial and Propellant Park.
“To support the growth of the space industry in the region, TIDCO has envisaged developing industrial parks to support industries specifically working in the space domain. These parks are planned to be located around the SSLV launch complex,” TIDCO said. In the RFP.
The development comes at a time when the aerospace industry is lobbying the government to set up more space technology parks to boost the country’s defense-aerospace industrial complex.
Such parks will provide a one-stop location for space-technology-related infrastructure such as testing facilities and services, regulatory sandbox, technology standards, etc. and will also be effective in addressing the high capital requirements in the space industry.
A deeper look
As part of TIDCO’s plan, the government will build two parks – Space Industrial Park and Propellant Park. While the former will focus on all space-related manufacturing and research and development activities, the propellant park will support the propellant requirements of the space park.
“The location of the space industrial parks proposed by TIDCO will be in sufficient geographical proximity to this (ISRO) spaceport to enable shrinking of the supply chain,” TIDCO said.
“The proposed space park will support the growth of both upstream and downstream industries, leading to the development of a vibrant ecosystem in the region. The industrial park will also enhance the efficiency of the space port by shrinking the supply chain network,” TIDCO said.
Place value chain studies
The selected consultant shall conduct a market assessment of business opportunities in the aerospace sector; Assess market drivers and so on.
They need to consult with key stakeholders in the aerospace industry, industry associations, regulators, research organizations to identify potential potential user industries and assess the demand for activities in the proposed park.
Additionally, the consultant needs to study the state of the space ecosystem in Tamil Nadu; Identify the state’s current gaps in the context of the space sector; Identify the total market for the aerospace sector in the state and identify the value chain to be established in the park for this sector.
Apart from Tamil Nadu, currently, the Gujarat government and the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACE) are collaborating to develop a space manufacturing park. The park will have plug-and-play infrastructure.
Similarly, the Kerala government and ISRO’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Center recently signed a memorandum of understanding to build a space park in the state.
These developments come at a time when the National Space Policy is still in the process of final approval from the government. The government released the draft Indian Space Policy 2022, which was reviewed by the Space Commission and went through a consultation process with industry and various ministries.
