The Government of Karnataka has approved the creation of a Centre of Excellence in space technology, in collaboration with the Satcom Industry Association-India (SIA-India), the national space industry body. With an initial investment of Rs 10 crore spread over five years, the centre will drive innovation, research, entrepreneurship, and skill development in the state’s growing space sector.
This new Centre of Excellence will be set up through a consortium that includes Ananth Technologies Ltd, the International Institute of Space Studies and Research (IISSR), KickSky, and BES Space. The initiative aligns with Karnataka’s Draft Space Technology Policy 2024, which aims to secure 50 percent of India’s projected $44 billion space economy by 2033.
The centre will be located in Bengaluru, the country’s space capital and home to the Indian Space Research Organisation. The facility will focus on critical space domains such as satellite manufacturing and communications, Earth observation analytics, navigation systems, space situational awareness, in-orbit servicing, and quantum communications powered by artificial intelligence.
SIA-India highlighted the urgent need for skilled talent, stating that India will require more than two lakh trained space professionals by 2035 to remain globally competitive.
“State-led initiatives like this are crucial for unlocking India’s regional innovation capacity and achieving our national space ambitions. We’re proud to partner with the Karnataka government and our consortium members to drive next-generation space R&D, entrepreneurship, and skilling,” said Anil Prakash, Director-General, SIA-India.
Over the next five years, the Centre of Excellence plans to incubate more than 20 NewSpace startups, produce over 50 research outputs, train more than 2,000 professionals, and generate $100 million in revenue through startup-led innovation. In the first year alone, 200 professionals will be trained. The initiative will also facilitate over 10 global joint ventures and technology transfers.
“This CoE is not just a facility—it is a strategic nucleus that consolidates Karnataka’s leadership in the global space economy,” said Subba Rao Pavuluri, President of SIA-India and CMD of Ananth Technologies.
The project will be executed in a phased manner under the supervision of a Joint Governing Committee, starting with infrastructure development and onboarding of key stakeholders.
The centre is expected to support India’s upcoming lunar missions, human spaceflight programmes, and solar explorations. It will also contribute to practical applications in agriculture, urban planning, and disaster management.
The initiative complements existing national efforts such as IN-SPACe’s Rs 500 crore Technology Adoption Fund and the Rs 1,000 crore Venture Capital Fund. SIA-India is also in discussions with other state governments, including Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Kerala, to replicate this model and scale India’s space innovation ecosystem.
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