The new millennium has nearly spanned a quarter of a century, marking the transition from one era to another—or perhaps a continuum of swiftly evolving epochs. These years have brought unprecedented and dynamic changes that have irrevocably altered our lives. We must reflect on these transformations while intelligently anticipating future discoveries and their enduring impacts on our lives, values, perceptions, and future.
The landscape of technology and innovation is in constant flux, relentlessly shaping our world in novel ways. Among these transformative forces, space exploration and technology stand out as crucial in addressing humanity’s most complex challenges. From deepening our understanding of the Earth’s environment to fostering global connectivity, space technology has become indispensable for societal progress.
India’s remarkable journey in space exploration offers a compelling narrative of innovation, perseverance, and achievement. It stands as a cornerstone of national pride and a beacon of the country’s aspirations, symbolizing its relentless pursuit of progress and excellence.
CELEBRATING NATIONAL SPACE DAY
On 23 August 2023, India achieved a significant milestone with the successful landing of the Chandrayaan-3 Vikram lander on the lunar south polar region. This remarkable feat marked India as the fourth country ever to reach the lunar surface and the first to conquer the formidable south pole. This historic event is being commemorated as ‘National Space Day’. To be celebrated every year, the day honours the contributions of those who have propelled India’s space programme to its current heights and reaffirms the country’s commitment to future space endeavours.
THE GENESIS OF INDIA’S SPACE PROGRAMME
India’s foray into space began in 1962 with the formation of the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR) by Dr Vikram Sarabhai, under the Department of Atomic Energy. The launch of India’s first sounding rocket, the Nike-Apache, from the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS) in Kerala in 1963 marked the beginning of a long and successful journey. The establishment of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in 1969 signified a major milestone, taking over from INCOSPAR and laying the foundation for India’s space activities.
In 1972, the creation of the Department of Space and the Space Commission provided a robust governmental framework for space exploration. The launch of Aryabhata, India’s first satellite, in 1975 by the Soviet Union, and the initiation of the Rohini satellite series in the 1980s, marked India’s entry into the satellite launch market. In 1984, Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian to travel to space aboard the Soviet spacecraft Soyuz T-11, further solidifying India’s presence in the global space arena.
Image Courtesy: NASA
MILESTONES AND ACHIEVEMENTS
The 1990s and 2000s were transformative decades for ISRO, characterized by significant achievements and technological advancements. The successful launch of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) in 1994 established it as a reliable and versatile workhorse for ISRO. The launch of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) in 2001 enhanced India’s capability to place heavier payloads into geostationary orbit.
The launch of Chandrayaan-1 in 2008, India’s first lunar probe, was a landmark achievement that made significant discoveries, including the presence of water molecules on the lunar surface. In 2013, the Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) made India the first country to successfully reach Mars on its first attempt, placing ISRO among the elite group of space agencies that have reached Mars. And in 2023, India became the fourth country in the world to soft land on the moon and the first one to do so on the dark side of the moon, establishing her proficiency and prowess permanently.
India’s satellite launching technology saw successive leaps. In 2017, PSLVC37 set a world record by launching 104 satellites in a single mission. Today, she is at the cusp of developing the Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV), stamping firmly her presence among the top nations, next only to the US, China and Russia.
TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS AND GLOBAL CONTRIBUTIONS
India has made significant strides in developing indigenous satellite navigation systems like IRNSS (NavIC) and advancing satellite technology for communication, weather forecasting, and remote sensing. These advancements have benefited various sectors such as agriculture, disaster management, and urban planning. Collaborations with international space agencies for joint missions and technology sharing have further bolstered India’s space capabilities.
Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
Looking ahead, India’s space programme is poised for continued exploration of Space with missions like Gaganyaan, NISAR, and ambitious interplanetary missions, including potential missions to Venus and asteroids. The development of reusable launch vehicles (RLVs) aims to reduce the cost of access to space, making space exploration more affordable and sustainable. ISRO achieved its third and final consecutive success in the Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) Landing Experiment (LEX) on 23 June 2024. Named Pushpak, it executed a precise horizontal landing, showcasing advanced autonomous capabilities under challenging conditions. With the objectives of RLV LEX accomplished, ISRO embarks into RLV-ORV, the orbital reusable vehicle.
The announcement of the Gaganyaan mission in 2020, aiming to send Indian astronauts into space, highlighted the country’s ambitious future plans. Gaganyaan project envisages demonstration of human spaceflight capability by launching a crew of three members to an orbit of 400 km for a three-day mission, and bring them back safely to earth, by landing in the Indian sea waters.
NASA-ISRO SAR (NISAR) is a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) observatory being jointly developed by NASA and ISRO. NISAR will map the entire globe in 12 days and provide spatially and temporally consistent data for understanding changes in the Earth’s ecosystems, ice mass, vegetation biomass, rise in sea level, ground water and natural hazards including earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes and landslides.
AN INSTRUMENT OF DIPLOMACY
India has effectively leveraged its space technology capabilities for diplomacy, enhancing its global standing, fostering international collaborations, and supporting the development of other countries’ space capabilities. Through its commercial arm, Antrix Corporation, ISRO has launched numerous satellites for various countries, establishing India as a reliable and cost-effective launch service provider.
The PSLV-C37 mission in 2017, which launched 104 satellites in a single mission, showcased India’s capability and reinforced its role in the global space market. India has promoted regional cooperation through initiatives like the South Asia Satellite (GSAT-9), launched in 2017 as a gift to its South Asian neighbours, providing communication and meteorological services to foster regional development.
India also emphasizes capacity building by offering training programmes and technical assistance through institutions like the Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS) and the Centre for Space Science and Technology Education in Asia and the Pacific (CSSTEAP). Additionally, India has assisted countries like Bhutan, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka in developing their satellite capabilities.
International collaborations are a key aspect of India’s space diplomacy. India has partnered with various countries and space agencies for joint missions and research, including the NISAR mission. Furthermore, India actively participates in international space forums and treaties, contributing to the development of global space policies and regulations.
FUTURE DIRECTIONS IN SPACE DIPLOMACY
To further strengthen its space diplomacy, India could expand the South Asia Satellite programs by proposing additional satellites tailored to specific needs and strengthen ties with ASEAN countries through joint satellite projects and capacity-building programs. Extending space technology support to countries in Africa and Latin America through satellite launches, data sharing, and technical training could enhance global engagement. Offering satellite-based disaster management services globally would aid countries in real-time disaster response and management.
Encouraging public-private partnerships between Indian space startups and international companies could foster innovation and technological exchange. Exploring participation in the International Space Station (ISS) or similar international stations could contribute to global scientific research and human spaceflight endeavours. Advancing reusable launch vehicle technology would offer more affordable and frequent launch services to international partners. Additionally, developing and sharing space-based internet services could provide connectivity to remote and underserved regions worldwide.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POWERHOUSE
In a recent editorial (April 2024), Nature, a prestigious science journal, highlighted India’s potential to become a science powerhouse. This is not yet certain, but it is possible. Alongside being an economic power, India is poised to take a leading role in science and technology. The editorial also emphasizes the need for India to address the funding gap, suggesting that the government should encourage businesses to increase their contributions to science spending, as seen in other leading economies. Future programmes will require massive resources, not feasible solely through government funding. The private sector must be an active partner. If policymakers and industrialists can collaborate effectively, India has the opportunity to achieve excellence in space technology and scientific achievements.
EQUITY AND INCLUSION
An outstanding dimension of this progress is that it has been achieved despite facing monumental challenges of poverty and infrastructural inadequacies. Perhaps that also explains the fact that these technologies have been developed at comparatively far lower costs. The total cost of Chandrayaan-3 mission, for instance, was less than the money spent on making the film Oppenheimer.
The major spin-offs from such technologies, must therefore be their translation into applications for the masses, to ameliorate their lot and to bring convenience and comfort in their lives. That will be one aspect of India’s space odyssey that will make it far more meaningful and exceptional. In a recent interview, ISRO chief S Somanath hinted at the salience that is attached to this aspect, when he talked about India Geoportal-Bhuvan, which gives you 10 times the information you get from Google. He announced creating two important information dissemination tools — Bhuvan Panchayat and NDEM, that will provide huge additional information to the masses.
A SAFER AND SECURER WORLD
The new space age will pose significant challenges and potential dark moments. While the past has witnessed titanic struggles, the future will surely bring moments of destruction and annihilation. However, just as the past had bright spots lighting up the path to a new future, wise visionaries will continue to stand between human existence and its obliteration. One looming calamity is the degrading global environment.
India’s concerns about global environmental challenges are well known, and her commitment to harnessing technologies, including space technologies, has strong political endorsement. Dr Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, pointed out that despite sending sophisticated spacecraft to study other planets, we had not shown similar interest in our own planet. She advocated for a ‘Mission to Planet Earth’. This spirit must strongly influence India’s future space programme. India must lead in harnessing space technology for environmental sustainability.
Image Courtesy: ISRO
A VISION FOR FUTURE
As we celebrate National Space Day, we reflect on the transformative power of space technology. India’s space program has made monumental strides, driven by knowledge, pragmatism, passion, and compassion. As India progresses towards global superpower status, its advancements in space technology position it as a key player in global affairs.
Prime Minister Modi envisions the next 25 years as the ‘Amrit Kaal’ for India—a period of ascendance to one of the world’s strongest nations. This vision includes not only material and economic strength but also leadership rooted in equity, fairness, and a shared future. In this light, India’s space programme shines as a beacon of hope, guiding the nation toward a future that is prosperous, ethical, and inclusive.
India’s journey through space is a testament to its indomitable spirit and commitment to leveraging space technology for humanity’s betterment. Looking ahead, India’s space programme will continue to inspire and lead, shaping a world where space technology fosters a safer, better planet.
*The writer, a Harvard educated civil servant, is a former Secretary to the Government of India. He also served on the Central Administrative Tribunal and as Secretary General of ASSOCHAM. He commands extensive expertise in the fields including Media and Information, Industrial and Labour Reforms, and Public Policy.
