Spaceport SARABHAI will undertake the research to size the Indian Space economy

Spaceport SARABHAI (S2) is India’s 1st dedicated Space think tank that aspires to be global, collaborative, and inclusive. Though S2 was launched on 2 October 2021 at the Bangalore International Center, a formal launch announcement was made today in a webinar.

The think tank is based in Bangalore, with satellite presence in New Delhi, Berlin, Sendai, and San Francisco. During the launch, Dr. Susmita Mohanty, Director-General Spaceport SARABHAI, said, “S2 embraces the multi-dimensional nature of human space endeavors. The S2 lens includes, among others, the geopolitical, scientific, economic, legal, safety, security, sustainability issues related to outer space activities.” She also informed that S2 would be engaging with ISpA and IN-SPACe and will undertake research to size the Indian Space economy.

The think tank name is an homage to the founder of India’s space program: Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, a physicist, a visionary, and a renaissance man. Spaceport SARABHAI is conceived as a launchpad for ideas for a shared future. The goal of S2 is to:

• Give India an international voice
• Grow the body of knowledge that informs critical areas of space policy
• Build public perspective through writings, events, and conversations
• Provide policy guidance to the government through research stakeholder feedback, opinion pieces, and private outreach
• Transform India into a developed space economy by 2030.

The founding team of S2 includes Dr. Ranjana Kaul, Secretary-General, New Delhi, Dr. Susmita Mohanty, Director General, Bangalore; Dr. Narayan Prasad, Director – Research + Operations, Berlin; Ashok G.V., Director – Legal + Policy, Bangalore; Dr. Shreya Santra, Director – Technology + Outreach, Sendai; and Meera Rohera, Fellow – Political Science + Philosophy, Boston.