Why in News?

In a recent address, ISRO Chairman S. Somanath outlined India’s goals to increase its share in the global space economy, enhance indigenous technological capabilities, and advance a series of high-impact space missions.

The vision highlights India's roadmap for space exploration and collaboration, aiming to boost India's position in the space industry significantly.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• India’s Space Economy
• Scientific Contributions and Legacy of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
• Key Upcoming Missions of the ISRO
• Way Ahead for India’s Space Vision
• Conclusion

India’s Space Economy:

• Overview:
  • India currently contributes about 2% to the global space economy, with a goal to increase this share to at least 10% over the next decade.
  • However, achieving this milestone requires concerted efforts from both ISRO and other stakeholders, including private enterprises and start-ups, within India’s evolving space ecosystem.
• Participation of the private sector:
  • India’s space sector has seen a surge of activity with recent policy reforms and the opening up of the industry to private enterprises.
  • The growing enthusiasm among young entrepreneurs and companies, both large and small, has led to a collaborative environment where private players are taking on roles previously managed solely by ISRO.

Scientific Contributions and Legacy of ISRO:

• Chandrayaan:
  • India’s lunar missions, particularly Chandrayaan-1 and Chandrayaan-3, have yielded groundbreaking scientific discoveries.
  • Chandrayaan-1 confirmed the presence of water on the Moon, while Chandrayaan-3 has advanced scientific understanding through soft-landing technologies and data collection.
• Astrosat and other space observatories:
  • India’s first dedicated multi-wavelength space observatory, Astrosat, has facilitated extensive astronomical research, resulting in over 400 scientific papers and more than 30 PhDs.
  • The success of this mission has laid a strong foundation for future contributions to space science, including the recently launched Aditya-L1 and XPoSat missions. 

Key Upcoming Missions of the ISRO:

• Gaganyaan mission: India’s first manned space mission, Gaganyaan, is scheduled for 2026, marking a significant milestone in India’s human spaceflight program.
• Chandrayaan-4 Sample Return mission: Planned for 2028, Chandrayaan-4 will focus on returning lunar samples, a step forward in understanding the Moon’s geology and resources.
• LUPEX/Chandrayaan-5 mission:
  • A collaborative project with Japan’s JAXA, Chandrayaan-5 (formerly Lunar Polar Exploration/ LUPEX) will involve a heavier mission with a 350-kg rover provided by Japan, and the lander by India.
  • Expected after 2028, this mission aims to advance lunar science with the eventual goal of a human moon mission by 2040.
• NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission:
  • The India-US joint NISAR mission, which has faced delays, is scheduled for launch in 2025.
  • This satellite mission aims to monitor natural resources and hazards using radar imaging.

Way Ahead for India’s Space Vision:

• Reducing dependence on imports:
  • Over the past decade, India has significantly reduced its dependence on imported space technologies.
  • However, many critical components still come from abroad, underscoring the need to further develop domestic manufacturing capabilities for advanced research and technologies.
• Expanding R&D and manufacturing capabilities:
  • ISRO is focused on promoting the indigenisation of research, development, and manufacturing, ensuring that critical items for the space sector can be built within the country.
  • This shift is crucial to meeting the demands of upcoming missions and achieving self-sufficiency in space technology.

Conclusion:

• India’s evolving space program under ISRO’s leadership is shaping up to be a significant force in global space exploration.
• With a focus on indigenous technology, private sector engagement, and ambitious missions, India is well on its way to realising its vision of
  • Contributing 10% to the global space economy and
  • Establishing a robust foundation for long-term space exploration and scientific advancement.