G Madhavan Nair, former Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), first shot to national fame as Project Director of the PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle), designed and operated by ISRO to launch the country’s remote sensing satellites into sun-synchronous orbits. Before the first successful launch of PSLV in 1994, this service was commercially available only from Russia. Still operational, PSLV has launched some of India’s most well-known payloads, such as the Chandrayaan, Mangalyaan and the country’s first space observatory, Astrosat.
As the Chairman of ISRO (from 2003 to 2009) , Nair oversaw the launch of nearly 30 successful missions. He has lately donned a political cap after join ing the BJP in October 2018. He spoke to Science India on the opening up of space activities for private players in the country and how ISRO had trumped NASA in charming Indian space scientists , among other issues.
ISRO has welcomed the government’s decision to include private industry players in the space programme. What does it mean for the programme and ISRO? What will be the role of the private sector?
ISRO has always encouraged private participation in its development programmes. With the passage of time, demand for satellite launch vehicles and space-based application has increased manifold. ISRO alone cannot handle this. There is a great opportunity for industries. They can take up the challenge of setting up service ventures that are profitable. Today, private participation is on a partnership basis and the time has come for the private sector to expand deeper and wider. They can get into launch vehicles and satellites. This, however, needs large investment and long gestation time. Industries should be patient enough to invest and wait for results. Investors shouldn’t look for immediate profit.
Data security is one of the most important aspects in space technology whether it’s technological data or data for strategic purposes. With the entry of private players, isn’t data security and protection going to be an important issue?
Data security for both earth observation and digital communication is a major concern. The space policy has to evolve to be able to provide a framework for monitoring and controlling mechanisms for space data. In India, the space law is in a nascent stage and has to be made effective at the earliest.
What kind of role startups will play in boosting space activities?
ISRO can provide a framework for future activities. It is for the startups to come up with ideas to improve performance, reduce cost or achieve higher reliability. It is new ideas and hard work which can lead to success of startups.
It is learnt that ISRO is giving opportunities to academia for indigenous technology development. Are Indian academia, industry and startups prepared to carry out space activities and contribute towards making India self-reliant?
ISRO has always made use of talent in academia and industry for indigenous development of space technology. With the progress of time, more and more challenges and opportunities have emerged. There is a large risk involved in developing space systems and only a few industries are coming forward. With ISRO’s efforts, we are almost self-reliant in critical technologies for space, and private players have an opportunity to participate in future challenges associated with planetary exploration and fundamental studies on astronomy.
for including European instruments on Chandrayaan-I in 2005
How is space technology going to influence warfare in the future? Can it be a good deterrent like nuclear weapons have been?
Space technology has become critical in the area of defence. Satellite-based observation and communication are already playing a major role in this field. Such capability can be used to monitor activities across the border and provide advance data to the frontline units. Also, advanced systems are being developed for tracking missiles, especially detecting the launch of missile from space. Thus space technology is going to be part and parcel of the defence system.
The US is developing a human-rated Space Launch System and it already has the Falcon Heavy. There are some more human-rated launch vehicles under development. Should India be looking for multiple human-rated launch options in the next decade or would we rely on GSLV MK-III?
The US has taken the lead in the development of human-rated launch systems like SpaceX Dragon. It is going to meet the requirements of taking several people and tens of tons of payload to the Earth’s orbit, to Moon or Mars. India cannot be lagging behind in this technology. That is why the Gaganyaan programme, which will enable three persons to be taken to the Earth’s orbit and brought back safely, was taken up. GSLV Mac 3 is a suitable launcher for this purpose and activities related to man rating is in progress. Ultimately, India should undertake development of recoverable and reusable launch system to be competitive and reduce the cost of access to space.
Earlier, Indian students who studied astrophysics or space science aspired to work for NASA; but now the new generation is looking towards ISRO. How did this change happen?
The Indian space programme initially concentrated on the development of launchers and satellites for meeting societal needs. Only a small budget was set aside for space science. Now, with better funding and encouragement by the government, missions to the Moon and Mars were undertaken. Several national facilities for large observation telescopes and laboratories have been set up. ISRO’s space research activities have taken it to the forefront of space-faring nations. All these efforts help retain talent in space science in India.
Space science is virtually absent in school curriculum. What are the efforts being made to attract the curiosity of students to it early in their lives?
The school curriculum covers the challenges of the space programme minimally. To make children aware of space research activities, ISRO celebrates the ‘Space Week’ every year between October 4 and 10. During this week, it coordinates with schools and conducts essay and quiz competitions, exhibitions on space achievements among other programmes.
Space research involves almost all fields of science and technology. School children should be encouraged to study basic science subjects such as Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics so that they can enter into space research in due course. After completing Class 12, they can also join the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, where specialised B Tech programmes on space related subjects are available. If they get a good score, they can join ISRO directly.
How is space technology likely to impact the lives of ordinary citizens? What are the foreseeable result areas?
Space technology has revolutionised almost all human activity. Communication and entertainment are among the major areas where its impact is clearly noticeable. For example, we cannot exist without satellites beaming DTH programmes, digital connectivity to computers or weather monitoring. The earth observation satellites provide information about natural resources for the whole country and help monitoring agriculture, forestry and fisheries. They are also helpful in infrastructure development and appropriate utilisation of natural resources. Navigation satellites provide precision and timing signals which are effectively used for civilian and military applications.
Both as a space scientist and ISRO chairman, you brought laurels to the country through your achievements. Now after joining the BJP, how are you planning to serve the nation as a politician?
I certainly support the policies of the BJP-led NDA government under the able leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I do not intend to enter active politics. I am willing to contribute to the field of science and technology as demanded by the government. At the moment, most of my time is spent in transferring my knowledge and experience to the young generation.
