In a major push to strengthen its space ecosystem, India is set to establish 7 space laboratories across universities and colleges to provide hands-on training in satellite systems, rocketry, and mission design.
The plan was reviewed by Jitendra Singh, signalling a shift toward practical, campus-based learning for aspiring rocket scientists, satellite engineers, and mission designers.
The initiative comes as India’s private space sector continues to expand rapidly, attracting over $600 million in investment and growing to more than 400 startups by early 2026. These companies are now active across launch vehicles, satellite manufacturing, ground infrastructure, and data services.
The new labs aim to address a critical talent gap. Until now, students had limited opportunities for hands-on experience in building rockets or designing payloads. The pilot labs will offer real-world exposure to mission design, including planning satellite purpose, orbit, and lifecycle.
India’s global space engagement is also increasing, with partnerships spanning 45 countries, including recent agreements with Singapore and the UAE. To support this growth, multiple funding initiatives have been introduced.
A Rs 1,000 crore venture capital fund, operationalised with Small Industries Development Bank of India, is focused on growth-stage startups. A separate Rs 500 crore Technology Adoption Fund supports early-stage innovations, while a seed scheme offers grants of up to Rs 1 crore for ideation and prototypes.
Meanwhile, IN-SPACe has granted 129 authorisations out of more than 1,000 applications, reflecting strong industry participation. Around 900 professionals have already been trained through 17 specialised programmes covering satellite manufacturing, launch systems, and space cybersecurity.
The rollout of campus-based space labs marks a significant step in building a skilled workforce to support India’s fast-growing space sector.
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