September 25, 2024
The Bengaluru Space Expo 2024 took place from September 18-20, 2024, at the BIEC in Bengaluru, organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe), and NewSpace India Limited (NSIL). This year’s theme, “Accelerating Tomorrow: Harnessing the Potential of the Space Sector for Unified Expansion,” attracted over 150 speakers and more than 800 delegates from 14 countries, including Australia, the UK, Russia, Sweden, and Italy.
The expo featured over 170 companies showcasing their innovations across a 65,000 square foot display area, drawing more than 8,000 business visitors. The event facilitated more than 440 B2B and B2G meetings, marked the launch of new products and services, and led to the signing of over 12 MoUs.
Dr S Somanath, Chairman, ISRO / Secretary, DOS visited the exhibition pavilion at the three-day exhibition at Bengaluru Space Expo (BSX) 2024, said that a lot of Indian companies have demonstrated their capabilities and transformed themselves from suppliers to developers. He noted, “The technologies and products showcased by private firms at BSX are highly advanced and complex. Indian companies have not only imported global technology but are now developing such technologies domestically. Just five years ago, no one would have imagined that Indian Companies could build satellites and launch them on their own.
Dr S Somanath emphasized ISRO's commitment to fostering a robust ecosystem for India's space sector, aiming to engage private companies in technological development for upcoming projects. He remarked on the expo's growing significance as a vital platform for collaboration between science and industry.
He also mentioned that Indian telecom companies must come forward to contribute to the formation of Low Earth Orbit constellation of Indian origin which will create huge economic opportunities for the country. He also pointed out that it is inspiring that there are many private companies in downstream technologies, which is good for the space sector, as the demand for applications will give an uplift to the upstream activities.
Conference had key sessions Viz., Indian Space Reforms & Policies: Influence on Indian Space Sector; Indian Space Reforms and Policies: Norms Guidelines and Procedures; Exploring Sectoral Business Opportunities via Indian Space Industries; Decisive Decade: Decadal Vision Roadmap for the Indian Space Economy; Socio-economic Impact of Space Technologies & Applications, and Futuristic & Emerging Technologies in Space: Commercial Prospects. In addition, the conference featured exclusive sessions for Australia, UK, Italy, Denmark, Singapore, World Economic Forum and European Space agency.
The key speakers at the sessions included: Shri Priyank Kharge, Minister for Rural Development & Panchayat Raj, and IT & BT, Government of Karnataka.; Shri P Rajeeve, Hon'ble Minister of Industries, Law & COIR, Kerala; Dr Pawan K Goenka, Chairman, Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe); Dr Ekroop Caur , Secretary, IT & BT and Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka, Mr D Radhakrishnan, Co - Chairman, CII National Committee, Space and CMD, NSIL; Mr Apparao Mallavarapu, Chairman - CII National Committee, Space and Chairman & MD, Centum Electronics Ltd; Mr Rabindra Srikantan, Vice Chairman - CII Karnataka State Council; H. E. Mr Alfonso Tagliaferri, Consul General of Italy; Mr Harshbir Sangha, MBE FRSA Director Missions and Capabilities, UK Space Agency; Mr Enrico Palermo, Head, Australian Space Agency; Dr Philippe Baptiste, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, CNES, France, and many more.