Overview
- The guidelines, released on July 23, require IN-SPACe authorisation for any planned re-entry by an Indian entity whether the activity occurs inside or outside Indian territory.
- Only objects designed to survive or deliberately brought back need separate approval; routine orbital decay that destroys most debris does not require authorisation.
- Applicants must file detailed technical and safety material including predicted re-entry corridors, tracking plans, failure scenarios, fragmentation patterns and a casualty assessment, and must publish a NOTAM at least 45 days before re-entry.
- Non-Indian operators must route re-entry requests through an India-incorporated partner such as a subsidiary or joint venture, and that Indian entity will be held legally responsible for compliance with Indian laws and national-security requirements.
- The rules follow a recent surge in commercial activity after the Vikram-1 private orbital launch and a Lok Sabha reply showing IN-SPACe has granted 108 non-government authorisations and approved 17 startups; the new regime is likely to raise planning costs, lengthen timelines and increase demand for third-party liability insurance.