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Transforming India’s Space Economy
Operationalising Space Reforms
Speakers
In June 2020, the Department of Space (DOS) announced the launch of Indian National Space Promotion Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) to serve as a bridge between ISRO and the private sector to develop a commercially viable and vibrant space ecosystem in India. 17 months later, in September 2021, the DOS appointed an IN-SPACe Board with the former MD of Mahindra & Mahindra Pawan Goenka as its Chairman. In October 2021, the PM launched the Indian Space Association (ISpA). The proposed IN-SPACe Directorates are yet to be established, as is the policy framework and accompanying legislation.
This Space Policy Panel hosted by India’s newly formed space think tank Spaceport SARABHAI will debate and discuss the policy and government follow-through critical to operationalise the intended reforms needed to transform India into a developed space economy that can compete in the $ 420+ billion global space market.
In collaboration:
Speakers
Sanjay Kumar
A social entrepreneur and geospatial evangelist, Sanjay is the Founder, CEO and Editor of Geospatial World. Pursuing its vision of Advancing Knowledge for Sustainability, Geospatial World especially focuses on advancing the role of geospatial knowledge infrastructure and its value in world economy society, and environment. A Masters and M. Phil in Politics and International Relations, Sanjay has special interest in public policy and global development agenda. He has been awarded as Global Geospatial Industry Ambassador by United Nations .He lends his time and experience to many not-for-profit organizations and has founded United Nations Private Sector Network on Geospatial Information Management (UNGGIM – PSN), World Geospatial Industry Council (WGIC), Association of Geospatial Industries (AGI). Currently he serves as Chair of UNGGIM PSN, US National Geospatial Advisory Committee, WGIC to help them further societal goals.
Ranjana Kaul
Dr. Ranjana Kaul is partner, Dua Associates, a leading law firm in India. She specializes and provides advisory on international space law treaties and policy, and appropriate implementation through national space policy and law for developing a commercial space activities sector in India. In particular, Ranjana advises space start-ups on the regulatory ecosystem in India, including policy, regulatory, procedures, IPR, transfer of technology and funding. Her law practice focuses on corporate advisory, including cross border transactions, commercial arbitration and litigation.
Dr. Kaul has been an affiliate of the International Institute of Space Law (IISL), Paris since 2006. In 2017 she was awarded the IISL Distinguished Service Award at the IAC, Adelaide, Australia. She is Secretary-General, Spaceport SARABHAI, India’s first independent think tank dedicated to ‘outer space’. Dr. Kaul is an alumnus of the Institute of Air & Space Law, Faculty of Law, McGill University, Canada.
K. Krishna
K Krishna is the Vice President and the Chief Technology Officer of Hughes in India. He has been with Hughes and the Satellite Industry for more than 27 years. He has been one of the founding members of the India operations of Hughes. He is responsible for the technology roadmap of the Company and spearheads the various strategic initiatives of the Company. He also plays the role of a Chief Regulatory Officer. Krishna represents Hughes and the Satellite industry in various forums as an evangelist of satellite communications. He is the president of the VSAT Services Association of India. He is also the Co-chairman of the Satellite Committee for Broadband India Forum and active member of Society for Satellite Professionals International.
Laxmesh Hasanabadi
Laxmesh Hasanabadi is the Vice President at Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and Head of its Missiles and Aerospace Business & Operation Division. Previously, he also served as the DGM of L&T’s Manufacturing Unit. His expertise includes building organizations, creating breakthrough transformation by combining people strength, cutting edge technologies and innovative business management techniques. Laxmesh holds an MBA from S. P. Jain Institute of Management and Research, Mumbai. He has been certified by the Japan International Cooperation Agency as a Visionary Leader For Manufacturing.
Susmita Mohanty
Dr. Susmita Mohanty is a spaceship designer and entrepreneur extraordinaire. She has co-founded space companies on three different continents: EARTH2ORBIT, Bangalore (2009-2021), LIQUIFER, Vienna (2004-ongoing) and MOONFRONT, San Francisco (2001-07). Prior to turning entrepreneur, she worked for the International Space Station Program at Boeing in California and did a short stint at NASA Johnson. In autumn 2021, she launched India’s first dedicated space think tank Spaceport SARABHAI.
In 2017, at the invitation of the Chief Minister of Odisha (India), Susmita took on the role of Chairperson for ‘Mo School’ in the rank and status of a Cabinet Minister. In 2019, Susmita was selected as one of BBC’s 100 Women laureates crafting a female-led future. In 2017, she was featured on the cover of Fortune Magazine. She is probably the only person in the world to have visited both the Artic and Antarctica, on invitation. She hopes to go on long sorties on the Moon someday.
