India Says 'Yes' To SpaceX’s Starlink: IN-SPACe Authorises Launch Of Satellite Internet Services

Last Updated:July 09, 2025, 20:21 IST

The authorisation will remain effective till July 7, 2030, or until the end of the operational life of Starlink’s first-generation satellite constellation, whichever comes earlier

The rollout of actual services is still subject to the stipulated regulatory provisions and requisite clearance/approval/licence from the relevant government department(s). File image/X

India has officially opened its doors to Elon Musk-led Starlink to launch internet services here. In a significant move, the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) has granted authorisation to Starlink Satellite Communications, signalling the country’s growing embrace of private space and communication technology.

The approval was granted to M/s Starlink Satellite Communications Private Limited, New Delhi (SSCPL), the Indian-registered subsidiary of Elon Musk’s Starlink (part of SpaceX) for enabling provisioning of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellation, namely Starlink Gen1. This will enable the private company to provide satellite communication services in India.

According to the details available, the approval has a validity period of five years from the date of authorisation till July 7, 2030, or the end of the operational life of the Gen1 constellation, whichever is earlier. However, the rollout of actual services is still subject to the stipulated regulatory provisions and requisite clearance/approval/licence from the relevant government department(s).

The Starlink Gen1 Constellation is a global constellation with 4,408 satellites orbiting Earth at altitudes varying between 540 and 570 km, capable of providing ~600 Gbps throughput over India.

This comes almost five years after India officially opened its space sector to private players, leading to the growth of over 250 start-ups across various parts of the country. IN-SPACe was set up as a single-window agency to enable authorisation and supervise various space activities of these private players, including the building of launch vehicles and satellites, and providing space-based services.

Srishti Choudhary

Srishti Choudhary, Senior Assistant Editor at CNN-News18 specializes in science, environment, and climate change reporting. With over a decade of extensive field experience, she has brought incisive ground repo...Read More

Srishti Choudhary, Senior Assistant Editor at CNN-News18 specializes in science, environment, and climate change reporting. With over a decade of extensive field experience, she has brought incisive ground repo...

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