Evolution of India's Space Program | 15 May 2025

Source: IE 

Why in News? 

The Global Space Exploration Summit (GLEX) 2025, held in New Delhi under the theme “Reaching New Worlds: A Space Exploration Renaissance.” The Prime Minister emphasized that India’s space programme goes beyond scientific discovery—serving as a tool to empower citizens and drive economic and social development. 

• In another development, the European Space Agency (ESA) emphasised on  collaboration with India and is open to working together on larger and uncharted areas of space exploration. 

How does India's Space Program Evolve Overtime? 

• Humble Beginnings (1960s–1970s): In 1963, the first sounding rocket (US made Nike-Apache) was launched from the Thumba in Kerala, focusing on basic atmospheric studies and establishing foundational infrastructure. 
• Building Indigenous Capabilities (1980s–1990s): India developed the SLV (Satellite Launch Vehicle) and INSAT series for communication and weather monitoring, along with the IRS (Indian Remote Sensing satellites) to support agriculture, water management, and disaster response.  
  • The early focus was on self-reliance and development-driven space technology. 

• Entering the Global Arena (2000s–2010s): In 2008, India launched Chandrayaan-1, its 1st lunar mission and became successful in first attempt ahead of several global powers (e.g., US Pioneer and USSR Luna: Both were launch failure in 1958), and helped discover water molecules on the Moon.  
  • In 2014, Mangalyaan (Mars Orbiter Mission) made India the 1st country to reach Mars on its first attempt.  
  • In 2023, Chandrayaan-3 landed near the Moon’s South Pole, and in 2024, India successfully docked two satellites in orbit under  the SpaDeX mission. 
• Global Outreach (2010s–2020s): In 2017, India launched 104 satellites using PSLV-C37 in a single mission.  
  • India offered launch services to 34 countries, boosting its global space role, with initiatives like the South Asia Satellite and upcoming G20 Satellite Mission. 
• Future Ambitions (2020s–2040s): The Gaganyaan mission is under development to send Indian astronauts into space, with planned missions to the Moon (2040), Mars, and Venus.  
  • The Bharatiya Antariksh Station (possibly by 2035) will enable permanent research in low Earth orbit. 
• Rise of the Private Sector: Over 250 space startups now exist, driving innovation in propulsion systems and imaging and satellite technology. E.g.,  
  • Skyroot Aerospace launched Vikram-S (India’s first private rocket) in 2022. 
  • Agnikul Cosmos inaugurated India’s first private space launch pad at Sriharikota in 2022. 

How India’s Space Programme Promote Economic and Social Development?  

• Public Service Delivery: ISRO’s satellite data supports schemes like SVAMITVA, which provides rural landowners with property cards, reducing disputes and boosting credit access. 
  • It also aids e-KYC via Aadhaar (linked to ISRO’s geospatial data) to ensure targeted delivery of subsidies like LPG and MNREGA wages. 
• Agriculture & Food Security: ISRO’s FASAL (Forecasting Agricultural Output using Space, Agro-meteorology & Land-based observations) program uses satellite data to predict crop yields, reducing price volatility and aiding food distribution.  
  • Bhuvan-Krishi provides soil maps for precision farming. 
  • Resourcesat-2 helps in monitoring disasters like locust attack by observing changes in vegetation health.  
• Disaster Management: Satellites like INSAT-3D/3DR track cyclones, enabling timely evacuations.  
  • For flood and drought monitoring, the National Agricultural Drought Assessment and Monitoring System (NADAMS) system uses satellite data to assess drought conditions and guide relief fund allocation. 
• Bridging the Digital Divide: GSAT satellites provide broadband connectivity to remote and tribal areas, enhancing access to education, telemedicine, and e-governance services in underserved regions. 
• National Security: The GSAT-7 series supports communication for the Indian Armed Forces, while Cartosat satellites assist in border surveillance, enhancing defense preparedness and national sovereignty. 
  • NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation) provides encrypted signals and data for precision-guided weapons for military platforms (aircraft, ships, missiles, and ground forces). 

What are Key Issues Related to India's Space Sector? 

• Budgetary Constraints: India allocates just 0.04% of its GDP to space, significantly lower than the 0.28% spent by the US.  
  • With ISRO’s budget at USD 1.95 billion compared to NASA’s USD 25 billion, India faces limitations in funding large-scale projects, infrastructure, and R&D investments. 
  • E.g., Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV-TD) tests were delayed due to limited funds. 
• Import Dependencies: India’s space program faces persistent reliance on imports for advanced sensors, and semiconductors.  
  • Indigenous innovation is slow and underfunded, as evidenced by the delayed development of the cryogenic CE-20 engine. 
• Growing Space Debris: India lacks effective debris mitigation strategies, with over 114 Indian-origin objects classified as space debris in orbit. 
• Security Vulnerabilities: India lacks space-based early warning systems against hostile countries posing threat to India’s space assets, integrated surveillance, and robust ASAT capabilities.  
  • Its military use of space remains limited, especially when compared to the dual-use dominance of China and the US. 
• Drain of Skilled Workforce: India faces a significant outflow of talent due to better infrastructure and opportunities abroad.  
  • While top Indian-origin scientists contribute to global missions, India struggles with STEM retention. 
• Limited Commercial Presence: India’s share in the global space economy is only 2–3%, despite having cost-effective and reliable launch systems like PSLV.  
  • Commercialization and contract acquisition lag behind competitors like SpaceX. 
• Geopolitical Competition: China’s rapid advancements, such as the Tiangong Space Station and BeiDou, overshadow India’s regional influence.  
  • Additionally, India’s lack of space diplomacy and dual-use tech strategies puts it at a disadvantage in the global space race. 

What Measures can India Adopt to Strengthen its Space-Based Capabilities? 

• Diversify Funding Mechanisms: India can attract long-term investments through sovereign space bonds and public-private co-financing models.  
  • Additionally, establishing an Indian Space Fund under IN-SPACe can support R&D, startups, and innovation, strengthening the domestic space ecosystem. 
• Indigenous Technology Development: India should create Space Technology Innovation Hubs to develop key technologies like reusable rockets and AI for satellites to reduce reliance on foreign technology and ensure strategic autonomy. 
• Talent Retention: India should introduce specialized space education programs, set up space training academies, and offer research fellowships and career pathways to retain top talent. 
• Space Sustainability: India should invest in Space Situational Awareness (SSA) technologies and de-orbiting solutions to manage space debris, alongside launching a National Space Sustainability Plan focused on reducing debris and promoting sustainable space exploration. 
• Advance International Collaborations: India should strengthen cooperation with global space agencies like NASA, ESA, and Roscosmos for technology sharing on missions like Artemis and planetary defense.  
  • Additionally, partnerships with emerging space nations in Africa and Southeast Asia will enhance capacity-building and space diplomacy. 
• Space-Based Entrepreneurship: India should create a National Space Innovation Framework to support startups and MSMEs in satellite manufacturing, data analytics, and payload development.  
  • Additionally, hackathons and innovation challenges should be launched to foster youth-driven ideas for disruptive space solutions. 

Conclusion 

India’s space program has evolved significantly, progressing from humble beginnings to a global player in space exploration. However, challenges like budget constraints, import dependencies, and geopolitical competition persist. By focusing on indigenous technology, talent retention, and international collaborations, India can strengthen its space-based capabilities for sustained growth and economic development.