New Delhi: Union Minister of State Atomic Energy and Space Dr Jitendra Singh said, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is in the process of developing indigenous capabilities towards space tourism through the demonstration of human space flight capability to Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, Dr Jitendra Singh said, the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) also seeks to promote active participation of the private sector in carrying out end-to-end space activities, which includes space tourism as well.

With regards to a question of space diplomacy, the Minister said, ISRO pursues international cooperation and relations with 61 countries in varied domains of space activities.

It may be recalled that the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) has been created as a single window agency, under the Department of Space, to promote, handhold and authorize the activities of the private sector in the space domain, including those by young entrepreneurs and students interested in the field of Space Science.

IN-SPACe will come up with mechanisms to enable sharing of technical facilities and expertise available across ISRO Centres with private entities.

In a related question, Dr Jitendra informed that the Department of Space (DoS) is in the process of drafting a comprehensive, integrated Space Policy, which shall provide direction to the activities of the private Indian space industry.

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