India has achieved a multitude of milestones in the space sector ever since the inception of the Indian space programme in 1962. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has been spearheading the space programme since the agency was established in 1969, helping the country launch its earliest satellites, Moon missions, and spacecraft to Mars. Some of the major feats of ISRO include the Rohini series of satellites, the INSAT and GSAT Series, EDUSAT, HAMSAT, Bhaskara-1, Resourcesat Series, Cartosat Series, Kalpana-1, Oceansat-1, Earth Observation Satellite Series, Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System, Space Recovery Experiment Satellite, SARAL, Chandrayaan-1, Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan), AstroSat, Chandrayaan-2, and the most recent accomplishment, Chandrayaan-3.
In the last few years, there have been reforms in the commercial space sector due to the efforts of ISRO, and the emergence of deep space-tech startups. Last year, Hyderabad-based space-tech startup Skyroot Aerospace launched India's first privately developed launch vehicle, as part of the firm's maiden mission, Prarambh. The mission received support from ISRO as well as the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (INSPACe), an autonomous agency in the Department of Space (DoS) that facilitates the participation of private players in the space sector.
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India is ushering in a new era in space because of the efforts of ISRO and space-tech startups, and also because space firms are collaborating with international firms for satellite launch services. ISRO has launched the satellites of London-based communications company OneWeb on two missions. These missions were launched in collaboration with New Space India Limited (NSIL), the commercial arm of ISRO.
Every year, ISRO launches satellites into space on the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle as part of different missions.
The year 2023 is a pivotal one for ISRO because the Indian space agency successfully launched Chandrayaan-3, India's third lunar exploration mission.
What are the new opportunities in the Indian space sector?
Indian space-tech startups and international collaborations are bringing a revolution in the Indian space sector.
ABP Live spoke to Manish Purohit, a former ISRO scientist who was involved in the Chandrayaan-2 and Mangalyaan missions; Dr Darshan Rana, Founder and MD of Erisha Space, a New Delhi-based space-tech firm; and Debadatta Mishra, co-founder of Erisha Space, and a former ISRO scientist, and asked them about the new opportunities for India in the space sector.
Space-based internet, space manufacturing and production, space education and research, satellite launch services, satellite data-based monitoring, and international collaborations are the different opportunities for India in the space sector, the experts said.
According to a joint report by Ernst & Young (EY) and the Indian Space Association (ISpA), the apex industry body created to be the collective voice of the Indian space industry, the Indian space economy is projected to grow to $12.8466 billion by 2025. The Indian space segments which contribute to the country's space economy are satellite manufacturing, launch services, ground segment and satellite services. India is gearing up and leveraging new avenues in the space sector.
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In 2022, the value of the global space economy reached $464 billion. A large portion of the space economy's revenue is used to fund the satellite-based service sector. India is actively involved in the service-based economy, especially in the digital domain, and provides such services through satellites.
Purohit, an accomplished solar energy and spacecraft solar panel expert who used his calibre to manage Chandrayaan-2 and Mangalyaan, explained that through the New Space Policy, India aims to improve the market presence of the country's space sector to nine per cent by 2030.
“A significant portion of the revenue of the global space economy flows into the satellite-based service sector, an arena where India's prowess in the service-based economy, particularly in the digital domain, presents a promising avenue. The recent adoption of the New Space Policy by India signals a strategic move to elevate its market presence from 2% to an ambitious 9% by 2030. This vision is not unfounded, considering the notable strides the country has already taken,” Purohit told ABP Live.
A total of 123 space launches have been made in 2023 so far. Of these, 90 were launched to low-Earth orbit, Purohit said. “This presents an area of opportunity as our capabilities align seamlessly with the demands of the LEO segment, unlocking an array of new opportunities.”
Listing two broad categories of opportunities for India in the space sector, Purohit said: “The upcoming field of space-based Internet beckons, and India's launch infrastructure is poised to support its development. This technology promises global connectivity that can revolutionise communication, data access, and connectivity, propelling India into a pivotal role.”
Explaining how satellite-based monitoring can aid agriculture and disaster management, Purohit said: “India's agricultural landscape stands to benefit significantly from satellite data-based monitoring. The ability to observe crops, weather patterns, and land usage from space can lead to enhanced crop management, yield predictions, and resource optimisation, bolstering agricultural productivity.”
He also said that insurance companies can leverage satellite-based monitoring to assess and mitigate risks arising from natural calamities and hazards. “India's capability in severity detection can contribute to more accurate risk assessment, benefiting the insurance sector and disaster management efforts.”
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The demand for market-ready satellites, sub-systems and space hardware has increased of late. Explaining why the future appears promising for the private space sector in India, Dr Rana said: “India has several MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises), small-scale industries and new players emerging in the space manufacturing and production supply-chain. Hence, the future holds a big chair for the Indian private space industry to serve the global market demand by delivering low cost and reliable space technology.”
Experts stated that space-based services are some of the most interesting opportunities that lie for India in the space sector. This is because the increasing number of satellite constellations in low-Earth orbit has made space-based services like remote sensing, communication, and navigation more serviceable and affordable, Mishra explained.
He also said that since constellations provide global revisits daily, it becomes possible to monitor and detect changes daily, and communicate to even remote areas without any terrestrial network infrastructure. “The private space industry in India has a great potential to indigenously develop low-cost technology and infrastructure to provide services from space.”
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Dr Rana explained that the number of private satellite launches has increased, and this has paved the way for private companies to also develop satellite launch vehicles for carrying small satellites to orbit, in standalone and rideshare missions. “The private industry in India has the potential to develop indigenous launch vehicles providing very low costs of placing satellites in orbit.”
The entire world has been experiencing a space fervour since the beginning of the 21st century. Over the years, space missions have become more complex, and the number of interplanetary or deep space missions has increased. Therefore, the space education and research industry has a great scope for development in India, Mishra explained. “It is important to cater to the requirements of the growing private sector in terms of generating capable talent and employing them into research and development of cutting edge and mass scale space projects.”
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ISRO’s latest mission, PSLV-C56, launched seven Singaporean satellites into space, marking another milestone in international collaborations. By collaborating with the space industry in other countries, India can learn and develop new technologies and services, experts believe.
“India has great potential in joining hands with the space industry in the overseas countries and jointly progressing towards the development of new technology and services that cater to the growing global demand. The talent and low-cost engineering mindset are a prime driver of India’s presence in the global industry,” Dr Rana explained.
Space parks, which will serve as manufacturing hubs for space-related technology, are likely to give a boost to companies operating across the space value chain, especially manufacturing, and will help attract global startups working in the space sector, according to the E&Y report.
Space parks will also help incubate space-tech companies in India, and will provide a ready ecosystem for small to medium-sized businesses and startups focused on satellite manufacturing.