The Sixth edition of the Bengaluru Space Expo (BSX-2018) takes off

The Sixth edition of the Bengaluru Space Expo (BSX-2018) took off with the theme -- Creating dynamism in the Indian space ecosystem -- with specific focus on enabling new space players in India. This event provided a single platform for the interaction of hundreds of delegates with specialists, entrepreneurs and space industry heavyweights.

The event is organised by Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) in association with Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Antrix Corporation Limited. More than 700 delegates are participating in this Asia's largest event on Space, Satellites and Launch Vehicles.

Inaugurating the event, Dr K Sivan, Chairman, ISRO and Secretary, Department of Space, called upon the industry to take active part in all ongoing and future space missions.

“The academia and industry are the two strong pillars of ISRO. Nearly 80 per cent of the launch vehicles and 50 per cent of satellite work is now being done by the industry. We hope the scope of this activity increases further and the industry becomes a partner rather a vendor,” Dr Sivan said.

He said the demand for small satellites is growing exponentially and called upon the industry to capturing the growing market.

“We have approvals for 30 PSLV missions and 10 GSLV Mk-III missions worth Rs 10,400 crore. Out of this, over Rs 9,000 crore work will go to the industry. The next three years, we have planned 59 satellite launches and to cater to this demand we need industry to gear up,” he added.

On the Indian Human Space Programme, Gaganyaan, Dr Sivan wanted the industry to come together to meet the requirements of the challenging mission.

In his opening remarks, Aman Choudhari, Vice Chairman of CII, Karnataka, observed BSX 2018 is a platform to establish self sustained efforts to build technology by Industries.

Rakesh Sasibhushan, CMD, Antrix, in his welcome address briefed about the significance of this event considering the current space scenario and highlighted the tremendous opportunity to Industries to contribute to the Indian space programme.

In his address as Chief Guest, Jean-Yues Le Gall, President, CNES,   mentioned the long cooperation between ISRO and CNES, the role of industries in French space programme and the importance of this event to bring all stakeholders together.

“India is becoming the hub of space missions. We have many technologies to offer for India’s human space programme, including on the space medicine front,” he said.

Kris Gopala Krishnan, past president-CII and Chairman, Axilor Ventures highlighted the need for CII to bring all players together to make a vibrant space ecosystem in India.

“Indian Industry can emerge as a collaborative partner with ISRO for development of space technology,” he said.

As part of the Space Expo, a World Space Biz is planned with talks on the emerging global market scenario, special sessions on new space - addressing current scenario, challenges and way forward, a special session on transitions, wherein delegates from industry would talk about the trends in space transportation and space infrastructure and a special talk on solar cells.  Technical sessions are planned covering opportunities/ avenues for industries in launch vehicles, satellites and satellite based applications.

The dedicated Gaganyaan Pavillion is the biggest attraction with hundreds thronging to get a glimpse of India’s challenging human spaceflight programme. Among the exhibits are a crew module, flightsuit and crew habitat.

The event is planned for 3 days from September 6 to 8, 2018 with an aim of providing a platform to both global and local industries to collaborate with ISRO towards the realization of various space systems.

Several technologies developed by ISRO are displayed and more than 100 exhibitors from all over the globe are participating in the event and displaying their products/services.  The expo is open to public on September 8, 2018.