Consider the following statements with regard to involvement of private entities in India's space programme:

Question

Consider the following statements with regard to involvement of private entities in India's space programme:

1. The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) is an autonomous agency formed to facilitate participation of private entities.

2. Agnikul Cosmos launched the world's first flight using 3D-printed rocket engine.

3. Skyroot Aerospace has developed liquid fuel for GSLV.

1. A. 1 only
2. B. 2 and 3 only
3. C. 1 and 2 only (Correct answer)
4. D. 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer

Option C — C

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is Option C.

Key Points

• Statement 1 is correct: IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre) is an autonomous, single-window agency under the Department of Space, set up to promote, authorise and oversee private-sector participation in space activities.
• Statement 2 is correct: Agnikul Cosmos flew Agnibaan SOrTeD using the world's first single-piece 3D-printed rocket engine (the semi-cryogenic Agnilet), a landmark for Indian private spaceflight.
• Statement 3 is incorrect, and is the key: Skyroot Aerospace built the Vikram series of launch vehicles (Vikram-S was India's first privately built rocket) — it did not develop liquid fuel for the GSLV, which is ISRO's vehicle.
• the 2020 space-sector reforms created IN-SPACe and opened the field to firms like Skyroot and Agnikul, with NSIL as the commercial arm of ISRO.

Exam Tip

• pair each start-up with its rocket — Skyroot → Vikram, Agnikul → Agnibaan (3D-printed engine).