The Confederation of Indian Industry has formed a task force of leading companies that have ambitions in Space to write out a roadmap on developing a space ecosystem in the country.

A tentative committee of 15 public and private sector companies met during the fifth two-yearly World Space Biz/BSX-2016 conference, which ended on Saturday, and discussed a broad agenda.

A CII official, who is involved in the consultations, told The Hindu that representatives of established and prospective suppliers to the Space programme — namely Godrej Aerospace, Tata Advanced Systems Ltd, Tata Advanced Materials Ltd, Mahindra Aerospace, L&T, Reliance Space, Astra Microwave — besides a few Bengaluru ventures participated in the first meeting of the committee. An expanded committee of decision makers will meet regularly under the lead of Antrix Corporation Ltd, the company under the Department of Space, and come up with an action plan to create a solid, independent Space industry base as in the U.S. and Europe.

Call to play bigger role

The move comes at a time Indian Space Research Organisation has urged industry to take on bigger roles and double the number of satellites and launchers to 12-18 missions a year. It has suggested Space industry parks at two locations. Today, ISRO assembles all satellites and their launchers while Antrix sells satellite images of Earth, transponder space and launch services. About 500 big, medium and small industries supply components and larger systems for the national Space programme.

ISRO, Antrix and CII have been hosting the event since 2008 with the same objective, the official said.

A tentative panel of 15 public and private sector companies met during the fifth World Space Biz conference