IN-SPACe Unveils Rs 6 Crore AI Seed Fund to Boost Space Sector Innovation
India's space promotion and regulatory body, the Indian National Space Promotion & Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe), has announced a groundbreaking seed fund scheme worth Rs 6 crore. This initiative is specifically designed to support startups and individuals interested in developing artificial intelligence (AI) applications for the space sector. The announcement was made on Wednesday during a specialized session at the AI Impact Summit in Delhi, titled "Beyond Earth: How AI is Powering the Next Era of Space Exploration."
Accelerating AI-Driven Innovation in Private Space Ecosystem
The seed fund aims to accelerate AI-driven innovation across India's burgeoning private space ecosystem by providing targeted financial and institutional support. Vinod Kumar, Director of the Promotion Directorate at IN-SPACe, emphasized the growing importance of AI in space activities. "Nowadays, AI applications are being used on ground in the space sector and in orbit. AI is now in every part of the space sector," Kumar stated in an interview with TOI on the sidelines of the event.
He explained that the fund will invite applications from startups, companies, or even individuals who can replace traditional methods in the space sector with AI applications. "We will shortlist five entities and provide them a grant of Rs 1 crore each for such AI applications, totaling Rs 6 crore," Kumar added. The last date for receipt of applications is March 20, 2025.
Future Funding and Expansion Plans
When questioned about potential increases in the grant amount, Kumar clarified that Rs 6 crore serves as the initial seed fund. "Rs 1 crore is sufficient for the application part. When any company's idea is built up, we have the technology adoption fund, where we will provide up to Rs 35 crore. Even up to Rs 60 crore venture capital fund is available for such companies," he disclosed. This tiered funding approach ensures sustained support for promising AI projects as they evolve from concept to implementation.
AI Integration in ISRO's Operations and Future Missions
Kumar highlighted the pervasive use of AI in the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) daily operations. "AI is used for data analytics like hazard detection, processing data from satellites, and even the human robot 'Vyommitra' developed for the Gaganyaan mission uses AI. For ground testing of satellites, such as checking cracks in thousands of solar cells, we rely on AI. AI has entered our system," he elaborated.
Looking ahead, Kumar revealed exciting developments: "A fully autonomous and advanced version of Vyommitra, based on AI, will be used in the upcoming Bharatiya Antariksh Station, set to be established by 2035." This underscores the strategic role of AI in India's long-term space exploration goals.
Supporting Startups and Educational Initiatives
IN-SPACe is actively fostering the growth of space startups, with Kumar noting that there are currently 390 space startups in India. "We have received over 850 applications from startups seeking our help in various aspects of the space sector," he said. To build capacity, IN-SPACe has designed 12 courses in the space sector, and over 58 colleges have incorporated space applications into their curricula.
Kumar emphasized IN-SPACe's supportive role: "Many private companies have set up their own space facilities. But where companies are unable to have their own setup, IN-SPACe or ISRO provide them help or do the hand-holding." This collaborative approach aims to lower barriers to entry and encourage innovation.
Convergence of Space and AI for National Priorities
Reflecting on the broader impact, Kumar stated, "Both space and AI are burgeoning sectors, and their convergence holds strong potential to transform how we explore and operate in complex and remote environments through autonomous and intelligent decision-making." He expressed keen interest in seeing how non-governmental entities leverage this opportunity to develop solutions that align with national priorities over the long term.
This seed fund scheme represents a significant step in India's efforts to harness AI for space exploration, positioning the country at the forefront of technological innovation in the global space arena.
