By Gp Capt (Dr) DK Pandey (Retd)
Success in space exploration has paved the way for numerous scientific and technological breakthroughs that have benefited mankind in many ways, such as healthcare, transportation, public safety, consumer products, energy and the environment, information technology, and industrial productivity. India is actively engaging in space exploration.
For the purposes of agriculture, disaster management, and environmental monitoring, remote sensing satellites such as the IRS offered data that was of exceptional value. Because of its expertise in developing space technologies that are both cost-effective and efficient, India has gained the reputation of being a “frugal spacefaring nation”.
Evolution of Indian space voyage
The initiation of India’s space exploration took place in the 1960s, propelled by the visionary efforts of Vikram Sarabhai, widely regarded as the pioneer of the Indian space programme. The Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR) was duly established in 1962 with the primary goal of attaining self-sufficiency in space technology and fostering our nation’s development. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) played a pivotal role in developing the space programme.
The earlier decades were characterised by a strong emphasis on developing indigenous skills. A notable progression emerged in indigenous launch vehicles, exemplified by the advent of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV). The focus shifted from purely scientific missions to remote sensing, telecommunications, and weather forecasting applications. Satellites like INSAT revolutionised communication and disaster management.
These remarkable achievements underscored India’s burgeoning technological acumen and prowess. ISRO achieved expertise in satellite technology by successfully developing and launching its inaugural satellite, Aryabhata, in 1975.
During the 1980s and 1990s, India’s space programme experienced significant growth. By deploying communication satellites such as INSAT, which revolutionised telecommunications and television transmission across the enormous nation, ISRO mastered the art of satellite development.
ISRO’s accomplishments
ISRO was founded in 1962, marking the beginning of an extraordinary journey of indigenous progress and scientific accomplishments. The Department of Space is a government agency in India responsible for implementing the Indian space programme. The Department of Space has developed the following programmes to promote and advance the use of space science and space technology:
- Launch vehicle initiative with indigenous capability for launching satellites
- The INSAT programme encompassing various fields such as telecommunications, broadcasting, meteorology, and education development
- The Remote Sensing Programme aimed at utilising satellite imagery for many developmental objectives
- Research and development in space sciences and technology exploiting the knowledge to advance national development
The Department of Space, operating through its agency ISRO, carries out space missions to achieve its vision, purpose, and objectives. The ISRO achievements that make Bharat feel proud are as appended below:
- Number of spacecraft missions: 122
- Number of satellites released by private players or students : 18
- Number of foreign satellites launched by ISRO: 432
- Number of launch missions :94
- Number of launch missions facilitated by ISRO:1
The Indian space programme continues to prioritise self-reliance as a fundamental principle. India embarked on space exploration with the Chandrayaan-1 lunar mission undertaken in 2008, elevating the nation’s status to that of the consortium of countries pursuing lunar exploration.
This development further fortified India’s prowess in the realm of space exploration. Mangalyaan-1 (2014) achieved the remarkable feat of India being the first nation to reach Mars on its inaugural endeavour. These expeditions not only received worldwide recognition but also produced vital scientific data.
Gaganyaan, India’s inaugural human spaceflight endeavour, and Shukrayaan, an upcoming interplanetary expedition to Venus, epitomise the nation’s unwavering dedication to advancing the frontiers of space exploration.
In 2000, the Indian government deregulated the space sector, acknowledging the potential of private entities. As a result, a dynamic startup ecosystem emerged, with businesses such as NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), Agnikul Cosmos and Skyroot Aerospace spearheading cutting-edge technology development and introducing new spacecraft. This cultivated a harmonious alliance between ISRO and the private sector.
In 2019, India successfully conducted the inaugural table-top joint war game called ‘IndSpaceEx’, organised by the military and space scientists. The Indian Space Policy 2023 marked a watershed moment, opening the space sector to private companies and startups and fostering innovation and competition. This is anticipated to expedite the expansion of the private space sector.
Countering threats in space
India has been actively engaging in the process of militarising space. The space has evolved into an indispensable auxiliary tool for war on the land without transforming into a separate theatre of operations. The essence of warfare is on the verge of a significant revolution, with space being utilised to augment combat capabilities on land, in the sea, and in cyber domains. Warfare is significantly shifting as space is utilised to improve combat capabilities in terrestrial, maritime, and cyber domains.
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Anil Chauhan, eloquently expressed on April 11, 2023, speaking at the Indian DefSpace Symposium organised by the Indian Space Association in association with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), that the basic concept of warfare is poised to undergo a paradigm shift. A notable trend may be observed towards the militarisation of space, accompanied by a steadfast advancement towards utilising space for weaponry. General Chauhan acknowledged that space is being harnessed to augment combat capabilities across various domains, including land, sea, and cyber.
The opponents of India pose a threat to India’s space assets; nonetheless, this threat is neither severe nor worrying currently. The primary reliance of the Indian armed forces on space-based technologies can be quickly converted into a secondary dependence by developing alternatives for both ground and aerial platforms.
India showcased its Anti-Satellite (ASAT) capacity with ‘Mission Shakti’, thereby becoming the fourth nation, behind Russia, the US, and China, to possess the potential to neutralise an adversary in outer space. India recently formed the Defence Space Agency (DSA), which is responsible for running space warfare and satellite intelligence assets. In 2022, the sector initiated ‘Mission DefSpace’ to develop innovative solutions in the space domain.
Nevertheless, it is crucial to acknowledge that despite a potential vulnerability to space assets from India’s perceived opponent, it is not of significant importance or cause for alarm. Through the development of substitutes for ground and airborne platforms, the considerable dependency of the Indian defence forces on space-based systems can be easily turned into a secondary dependence.
Challenges and vulnerabilities
Notwithstanding the incredible achievements it has made, the Indian space ecosystem encounters certain formidable challenges:
- The space industry continues to be predominantly influenced by public sector funding and investment, while private sector involvement remains comparatively limited. Augmented allocation of financial resources and enhanced investment endeavours are of the utmost significance to propel the private sector towards progress and advancement.
- The acquisition and preservation of skilled teams in space exploration is of paramount significance as it pertains to both talent and technology. Furthermore, cultivating ingenuity and advancing state-of-the-art technologies will play a pivotal role in effectively engaging in global competition.
- The optimisation of regulations and the cultivation of enhanced collaboration among the ISRO, private entities, and academic institutions will engender a more resilient and effective ecosystem.
- India’s poverty is a common criticism point for the country’s space programme, which includes expeditions to Mars and the moon. However, ISRO maintains that space exploration has many upsides, including improved communication, weather prediction, global positioning systems (GPS), and locating and identifying minerals and water sources.
By strategically confronting these formidable challenges and effectively leveraging its inherent strengths, India has the potential to emerge as a dominant contender in the global space exploration and innovation domain. The Indian space ecosystem is in for an exciting period of growth in the years to come, one that may open diverse perspectives and push the limits of human exploration.
Way ahead
For the Indian space ecosystem to be truly potent, it is essential to implement a strategy incorporating several different approaches as mentioned below:
Consistent government support: It is of the utmost importance that the government continues to provide the space industry with financial and regulatory support while encouraging private participation.
Facilitating the propagation of innovation: Fostering research and development in critical areas like reusable launch vehicles, advanced materials, and space-based technologies will be crucial. The provision of resources towards the creation of conducive environments for the exploration of space technology and the promotion of synergistic partnerships between academia and industry will serve as catalysts for the generation of novel ideas and the progression of technological frontiers. This will be accomplished by encouraging the propagation of innovation and developing the cutting-edge technologies.
Developing a skilled workforce: Implementing programmes that aim to attract and educate skilled workers in various domains of space technology is of the utmost importance.
Collaborations with other countries: India has the potential to successfully increase its global impact and extend its knowledge base by forming strategic collaborations with other countries with advanced capabilities in space exploration.
Conclusion
The Indian space ecosystem has transformed remarkably, transitioning from a solitary state-run entity to a dynamic tapestry comprising a diverse array of public and private stakeholders. India’s endeavour to emerge as the inaugural Asian nation to venture towards Mars successfully establishes an unprecedented standard for cost-effective interplanetary exploration, thereby positioning itself advantageously to capitalise on a larger share of the $300-billion global space industry.
By embracing various measures in letter and spirit, India’s space ecosystem can perpetuate its remarkable ascent, imprinting not only on the lunar surface but also in the chronicles of human space exploration.
