India’s Space Programme: Key Updates Since Chandrayaan-3
Kartavya Desk Staff
Syllabus: Science and Technology: Space
Source: TH
Key Achievements Post-Chandrayaan-3:
Achievements | Details
Aditya L1 Mission | Launched on September 2, 2023; reached orbit around Earth-Sun Lagrange point (L1) by January 2024 for solar observation.
Gaganyaan TV-D1 | The first abort mission on October 21, 2023, successfully tested the Crew Escape System for India’s human spaceflight program.
XPoSat | Launched on January 1, 2024; second space-based observatory studying polarized radiation from space.
INSAT-3DS | Launched on February 17, 2024; critical for testing GSLV reliability before the NASA-ISRO NISAR mission.
Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV-TD) | Conducted successful landing experiments in 2024, paving the way for future orbital return flight tests.
Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) | Completed development with successful third flight on August 16, 2024; now ready for industry use.
Roadmaps and Future Plans
Gaganyaan Program | Focus on human spaceflight with astronaut training; the first uncrewed mission is expected in late 2024.
Next-Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) | Developing a heavy-lift vehicle for space station and lunar exploration goals.
Lunar Exploration | 25-year roadmap, including plans for an Indian on the Moon by 2040 and long-duration lunar missions.
NSIL Missions | Collaborations with SpaceX and private sector partnerships for LVM-3 development and satellite launches.
National Space Policy 2023 | The government has approved the Indian Space Policy (ISP) 2023, to boost private sector participation and increase investments in the space sector from private companies
Private Sector Participation
Agnikul Cosmos | Launched SoRTeD-01, using a semi-cryogenic engine, marking a significant achievement for India’s private sector.
Skyroot Aerospace | Progressing towards launching Vikram 1 with advancements in space technology development.
IN-SPACe | Issued new guidelines, and licenses, and allowed 100% FDI in most space sectors, except for specific ceilings in satellite manufacturing and operations.
Bottlenecks in the Indian space sector:
• Access to Capital: Limited funding for downstream companies, as upstream activities receive major investments.
• Human Resource Constraints: A need for technically inclined marketing personnel, but they tend to prefer established businesses with market-level salaries.
• Monopolization: High capital requirements make it challenging for many players to enter the industry, leading to potential monopolization.
• Funding Disparity: India’s space budget is significantly smaller compared to countries like
Recommendations:
A recent report by the Indian Space Association, NASSCOM and Deloitte India suggested adopting OECD’s framework for segmenting the space value chain into upstream, downstream and Auxiliary categories
• Upstream: All activities, products and infrastructure that ensure development, testing, launching, operations and monitoring of space assets
• Downstream: All applications, services and devices relying on satellites to create business value including Earth Observation, Satellite, SATCOM, etc
• Auxilliary: Additional space-related activities such as space insurance, awareness, education and training
Conclusion
The Indian space sector has an opportunity to create a vibrant ecosystem for start-ups and private enterprises. India needs to focus on building a comprehensive space policy, providing access to capital for early-stage startups, access to satellite technology for industry, improved training for satellite operations, and allowing private players to use the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) testing facilities.
Insta Links
• Milestones in India’s Space Programme
• Startups are powering India’s Space Odyssey 2.0
Mains Link:
What is India’s plan to have its own space station and how will it benefit our space programme? (UPSC 2019)
Discuss India’s achievements in the field of Space Science and Technology. How the application of this technology has helped India in its socioeconomic development? ( UPSC 2016)
Prelims Links
Consider the following statements: (UPSC 2016)
The Mangalyaan launched by ISRO
• is also called the Mars Orbiter Mission
• made India the second country to have a spacecraft orbit the Mars after USA
• made India the only country to be successful in making its spacecraft orbit Mars in its very first attempt
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: C