New Delhi – India’s space agency, the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe), has officially approved Elon’s Starlink to operate its satellite internet services in the country.
Starlink, a division of SpaceX, received permission to use its first-generation (Gen1) satellites to provide high-speed internet across India. However, this approval is only valid for five years or until the satellites’ usable life ends, whichever happens sooner. The final go-ahead still depends on legal approvals from the Indian government.
The Gen1 system includes nearly 4,000 satellites that orbit the Earth at altitudes between 540 and 570 kilometers. These satellites aim to provide 600 gigabytes per second of total internet bandwidth, with a major focus on reaching underserved rural areas.
This makes Starlink the third company after OneWeb and Reliance Jio to get such approval from IN-SPACe.
Previously, the Indian authorities did not allow access to Starlink’s network. With this license, Elon’s Starlink can now connect with local ground stations to enhance internet connectivity.
India’s space sector has seen a surge in interest from global investors, especially since February 2024, when the Indian government allowed full foreign direct investment (FDI) in the space industry. This move has opened new doors for private companies and startups working in the space sector.
Manu Iyer, co-founder of Bluehill Capital, a venture capital firm focused on deep tech, said this change has energized India’s space startup ecosystem. “IN-SPACe is now supporting many startups,” he said.
According to Elon’s Starlink, their satellites are much closer to Earth compared to traditional satellites, which helps reduce delays and provides faster internet speeds. Starlink uses around 8,000 satellites, even though global coverage needs only 3,000, to ensure more reliable service.
Despite the benefits, the decision has raised some concerns. Raghav Asawa, founder of Applied Science Innovations (ASCI), a young startup using satellite technology to track climate issues, expressed doubts about data privacy. “We don’t fully know how data is being used, and that could put user privacy at risk,” he said.
He also questioned the need for Starlink in a country already well-connected. “Even in hilly regions, internet access is available. I don’t see a strong need for this,” he added.
Another issue is the risk of space debris. The increasing number of satellites in low-Earth orbit makes space more crowded, which can lead to collisions and interfere with space research. Experts have warned that the world must coordinate better to manage space traffic and avoid accidents.
While concerns remain, Indian startup founders are more focused on attracting investment and building local solutions. Asawa noted that India has strong talent but lacks enough funding to challenge big global players like SpaceX.
Venture capitalists like Iyer agree that funding space technology is tough, as it often takes years to see returns. Still, he believes the Indian government’s support can help accelerate progress. “Support for satellite development and space companies is a big step forward,” he said.
