India needs advanced cybersecurity tools as its space capabilities are growing: ISRO Chairman

By R Anil Kumar

• Need for cybersecurity tools evident as India’s space capabilities grow

• India’s phenomenal growth in the digital domain in the last few years has also brought with it new challenges in cybersecurity: ISRO Chairman Dr S Somanath

Bengaluru, September 5. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairman Dr. S Somanath emphasised the critical need for advanced cybersecurity tools as India’s space capabilities grow, while also reflecting on ISRO’s evolution in technological innovation.

The ISRO chairman spoke at length on cybersecurity adding that ISRO navigates on new frontiers in technology, but the landscape has changed.

The chief of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) laid the foundation stone of the cybersecurity facility called ‘Cyber Nalanda’ in Bengaluru. It is the brainchild of SISA, a global forensics-driven cybersecurity solutions company.

Somanath highlighted ISRO’s internal capabilities in software development.

In his keynote address at the foundation stone laying ceremony of the SISA Cyber Nalanda, Somanath also highlighted the importance of leadership, collaboration, and mentorship in building a world-class organisation.

He spoke at length on cybersecurity adding that ISRO navigates on new frontiers in technology, but the landscape has changed.

“Applications expand, and threats expand as well. The need for cybersecurity tools is very evident,” Somanath said.

He also talked about how ISRO, with its expanding technological footprint, recognises the importance of securing its data and assets, especially in critical areas like space and satellite operations.

“Though we are happy with what is happening, the situation is not okay,” he said, stressing the need for continuous vigilance, “Real threats are of very high magnitude.”

Somanath highlighted ISRO’s internal capabilities in software development, mentioning the success of tools like FEAST (Finite Element Analysis of Structures), which are now used by structural engineers and designers across industries, including aerospace and architecture.

“Most of the software we use for our space domain—whether it’s rocket dynamics, satellite control, or structural design—is designed by ourselves,” he said, reinforcing ISRO’s self-reliant approach to space technologies.

He also called ISRO’s Analysis of Collision Possibilities tool, designed to assess the risk of satellites colliding in space, “one of the best in the world”.

Somanath also underscored ISRO’s philosophy of frugality and cost-effectiveness.

In addition to ISRO’s technical achievements, Somanath said the organisation’s achievements in software for space exploration, such as the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) tools ISRO developed in-house.

“Within a year, we had one of the best software programmes used by ISRO, and we are working to make it commercially available,” he noted.

Somanath elaborated on ISRO’s research in areas like thermal design, orbital mechanics, and the long-term evolution of space objects.

“The growth in the digital domain in India is really phenomenal. In the last few years we have seen the growth of digital payment infrastructure, use of digital infrastructure for education and learning, even in trade and commerce.

Related to that, cybercrimes are also growing. So, it’s a two-pronged approach. One, you need to increase the digital ecosystem. And two, you need to handle threats which are mostly from outside the country,” Dr Somanath said.

“It’s a national requirement to strengthen cybersecurity. It also happens in the private ecosystem,” he added.

On why the upcoming facility has been named ‘Cyber Nalanda’, Dr Somanath said it will work as a research and development ecosystem in cybersecurity through collaboration with other partners and academic institutions, and Nalanda was where collaboration of ideas used to happen.

The top scientist said he is no different from anyone else in receiving spam calls and other attempts at fraud. He said he has never been a victim of cyber fraud, luckily, due to having awareness and knowledge about it.

“Of course not a victim, but there were lots of attempts, like all of you would have faced, like telephone calls… None of them succeeded,” Dr Somanath answered to a question on cyber fraud.

Satellite Launch Market

The ISRO chief said the space agency is working on building giant rockets to send heavier satellites into space. At the moment, Dr Somanath said, the satellite launch market is a very demanding one due to the world not having enough rockets.

“There are not enough rockets in the world. There are more satellites than rockets. But then the launch market is a geopolitical thing. It is not the numbers alone that matters. But the cost, political influence, regional demands, all of these matters. So, we are trying our best to build more rockets and make them available for commercial ventures,” he said.

“There is a demand for small satellites, that’s why a lot of startups are working on this. In the middle level, we have PSLV, which is doing very well. In the high level, we don’t have enough capability. We are trying to develop,” he said.

On how he feels about ISRO’s upcoming major launches, Dr Somanath said, “There’s no nervousness at all.”