Announcement of Opportunity (AO) by IN-SpaCe

The Indian space regulating agency, IN-SPACe recently issued an Announcement of Opportunity (AO) inviting non-government entities (NGEs) to build, launch, and use a telecommunications satellite.

About Announcement of Opportunity (AO):

• This AO aims to identify and enable eligible non-government entities (NGEs) to utilize unutilized ITU Filing.
• It refers to a filing made by India’s space agency, ISRO, to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) for registering a satellite or satellite network.
• This filing process includes detailed technical information about the satellite, its intended orbital position, and frequencies to coordinate the use of orbital slots and frequencies.
• It could aid in avoiding interference between satellites.
• The ITU filed ‘INSAT-KA89ER,’ which has sought uplink frequencies of 21 GHz to 31 GHz and downlink frequencies of 17.7 GHz to 21.2 GHz.
• This is the first time NGEs are invited to build, launch, and operate their satellite.
• NGEs will submit technical and price bids, and the best bidder will get the opportunity.
• It specifies that the beneficiary shall be responsible for further coordination activities with foreign operators/administrations, modification filings, notification/due diligence filing, etc.
• The actual operating frequencies would depend on the extant National Frequency Allocation Plan.
• This plan provides a regulatory framework, identifying which frequency bands are available for cellular mobile service, Wi-fi, sound, television broadcasting, radionavigation for aircrafts and ships, etc.
• In addition, ITU Radio Regulations, and approval/wireless operating license (WoL) from the WPC wing of the Dept. of technology.
• This AO for building a telecom satellite follows another AO for the blue economy.
• Under this AO, IN-SPACe announced the establishment of a seed fund to provide financial support, expert mentorship, and resources to help entrepreneurs bring their ideas to market.
• It aims to support projects that address ocean monitoring and mapping, enhancing maritime surveillance, and supporting disaster response efforts in coastal communities.
• The AO notification proposals from startups and micro and small enterprises with innovative ideas for using space technology to support the blue economy.
• Areas highlighted by the AO include fisheries (prevention of illegal or over-the-quota fishing), marine biology, communications, shipping, surveillance, oceanography, and weather.

Ref: Source

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