AWS recently partnered with ISRO and IN-SPACe to provide cloud capabilities with scaled computing due to the increasing application and demand in the Indian ecosystem, alongside boosting India’s space tech startups. 

In an exclusive interaction with AIM, Clint Crosier, director of aerospace and satellite solutions at AWS, unveiled the ambitious growth trajectory of India’s space sector. He also touched upon AWS’ partnership with a host of Indian space tech companies, their multi-billion dollar bet, and their vision and initiatives aimed at scaling the industry beyond borders.

Crosier painted a vivid picture of India’s thriving space ecosystem, with the triumphant Chandrayaan 3 mission, the ambitious Gaganyaan mission and ISRO’s growing role in the commercial space arena, amplified by new policies promoting startups. 

“I really see significant growth here in India. And that’s why AWS is invested. We announced recently that we’re investing USD 12.7 billion in the cloud computing infrastructure here in India until 2030 because we see such a growth track,” said the aerospace director. 

ISRO, IN-SPACe, and AWS Partnership  

Crosier shared insights into partnership with ISRO and IN-SPACe, which was formalised through an MoU that aims to foster innovation and bolster the startup ecosystem in the space tech sector. He reiterated, “ISRO was a very enthusiastic partner. They said we want to grow this industry in India and we said we want to help that too.” 

AWS will provide essential cloud skills training to space tech startups through workshops and programs needed to harness cloud capabilities for their space missions. Furthermore, the partnership aims to introduce STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education into the space industry. 

“When you bring space experts together with cloud experts and let them do innovative activity today, it unlocks some powerful innovation opportunities. And that’s what we’re doing with ISRO. We’re going to work together to grow the space geospatial ecosystem here in India,” said Crosier, emphasising the impact of the partnership. 

Partnerships with Private

A resounding objective was laid out in the new 10 year new space policy to amplify its market share from 2% to 8% of the global space capability. This audacious goal, according to Crosier, is entirely attainable. “I believe it’s achievable because India has developed such a strong technical base,” he added. 

He also underlined various avenues such as launch capabilities, geospatial analysis, satellite manufacturing, and operations that could attract more attention, potentially propelling the entire country’s ecosystem to the next level.

He highlighted that AWS is shouldering the larger cause by collaborating with companies such as Pixxel, Digantara, Dhruva Space, and Skyroot. These companies are involved in various aspects of space tech, from hyperspectral satellite systems to space-based situational awareness and rocket design and launch.

Pixxel, in partnership with AWS, is creating a hyperspectral satellite system for continuous global monitoring. Meanwhile, Digantara is developing a space-based Space Situational Awareness (SSA) system, with Crosier noting the potential for improved SSA and space domain protection from space itself.

Additionally, Crosier revealed that the AWS team recently visited firms like Dhruva Space and Skyroot in Hyderabad, and were surprised by the cutting-edge endeavours taking place in the Indian space market. 

As India’s space sector continues to evolve and garner global attention, AWS’s investments and collaborations promise a thriving ecosystem that will play a pivotal role in space technology and research for years to come.

“I see so many opportunities across the Indian space market. The convergence of space expertise and AWS’s cloud capabilities is a recipe for exciting developments,” according to Crosier.

AWS to the Rescue 

Crosier emphasised that one of the fundamental challenges AWS cloud solutions can address is reducing the barriers to entry for businesses. By providing access to the world’s largest global infrastructure, AWS enables companies, both commercial and governmental, to conserve their limited resources and redirect them towards their core missions. 

AWS helps space companies save significant amounts of money by avoiding the arduous task of building their own infrastructure and applying AI for advanced geospatial analysis.

AWS goes beyond infrastructure support. They empower space organizations with the tools and know-how to implement AI and ML at scale. This fosters efficiency and opens up new possibilities for space missions.

Crosier pointed to real-world examples, such as collaborating with SatSure in India, where AI and ML are used to identify climate change patterns in geospatial data to support climate decision-making. The technology powerhouse also partners with companies like Kawa Space, a space startup focused on real-time signal detection from space to combat illegal shipping and illicit maritime threats.

Enters AWS Activate Program

AWS’ Activate Program plays a pivotal role in nurturing and supporting the growth of space startups in India and globally through its Activate Program. It provides credits and fosters a cloud-native mindset among emerging space tech ventures. Activate offers credits to help startups learn to operate in the cloud, removing financial barriers. This initiative empowers startups to leverage cloud technology without the initial financial burden.

Crosier explained, “Activate is a program… where we provide space startups credit so that they can get started… learn how to operate the cloud, train their people to become experts on the cloud and applications in the cloud.” 

AWS’s broader goal with Activate is to nurture a cloud-savvy workforce, enabling startups to make significant contributions. For example, they can leverage geospatial data for India’s benefit.

Crosier offered an illustrative example, stating, “And so activation credits make it possible for companies to say ‘I don’t know where to start…’ It allows us to do good things across the community by leveraging, in this case, geospatial data for the good of the country of India.”

AWS also offers a Space Accelerator program, which runs for four weeks, helping startups effectively integrate cloud technology into their space systems. The program which has been going on for the past three years enables participants to work closely with AWS experts to build cloud platforms.
The programme’s 2023 14 startup roaster features India-based space startups like Kawa Space, Delta V Analytics and others.