SCIENCE

Space

India’s Rise as a Global Space Power

Transformation of India’s Space Programme

• Over the last 12 years, India has emerged as a major space power, guided by the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Make in India, and Viksit Bharat 2047. 
• The programme has evolved from a scientific initiative into a strategic asset supporting development, innovation, security, and global partnerships. 

Major Space Missions and Achievements

• Chandrayaan-3 (2023) made India the first country to soft-land near the Moon’s south pole. 
• Mangalyaan (2014) made India the first nation to reach Mars on its maiden attempt. 
• Aditya-L1 (2023) became India’s first solar observatory positioned at the Sun-Earth L1 point. 
• AstroSat and XPoSat strengthened India’s capabilities in space astronomy. 
• SPADEX (2025) enabled India to become the fourth country to demonstrate autonomous space docking and undocking. 
• The Venus Orbiter Mission is planned for 2028. 

Human Spaceflight and Space Station Plans

• The Gaganyaan Mission aims to send Indian astronauts into low-Earth orbit, making India one of the few nations with independent human spaceflight capability. 
• Participation in the Axiom-4 Mission (2025) provided valuable experience in astronaut training and microgravity research. 
• The Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS), a five-module space station, is planned under Space Vision 2047, with the first module scheduled for launch by 2028.
  Current Facts

  Thirukkural

  For gain of end desired just counsel nought avails

  To minister, when tact in execution fails

  Explanation

  Those ministers who are destitute of (executive) ability will fail to carry out their projects, although they may have contrived aright.

• Expansion of Private Participation
  • Space sector reforms in 2020 and the Indian Space Policy 2023 encouraged private sector involvement. 
  • Space startups increased from one in 2014 to more than 400 by February 2026. 
  • Liberalised FDI norms permit up to 100% foreign investment in selected space activities. 
  • Companies such as Pixxel, Skyroot Aerospace, Agnikul Cosmos, Dhruva Space, and Bellatrix Aerospace have emerged as major players. 

  Commercialisation and Institutional Reforms

  • NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) commercialises ISRO technologies and services, while IN-SPACe acts as a single-window facilitator for private players. 
  • NSIL’s revenues increased from ₹321.77 crore (FY 2021-22) to ₹3,246.09 crore (FY 2024-25). 
  • India’s space economy, currently valued at $8 billion, is projected to grow to $40–45 billion over the next decade, with a target of achieving 8% of the global market by 2030. 

  Self-Reliance in Launch Capabilities

  • Indigenous launch vehicles PSLV, GSLV, and LVM3 provide independent access to space. 
  • India can launch payloads of up to 10 tonnes to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and 4.2 tonnes to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). 
  • Development of the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) and reusable launch vehicle technologies aims to reduce launch costs and enhance payload capacity.

  Expansion of Space Launch Infrastructure

  • India’s second spaceport is being developed at Kulasekarapattinam, Tamil Nadu. 
  • The SSLV Complex, inaugurated in February 2024, aims to support 20–25 launches annually, with the first launch expected in FY 2026–27. 
  • A Third Launch Pad at Sriharikota was approved in January 2025 with an outlay of ₹3,984.86 crore to support future launch vehicles, Gaganyaan, and lunar missions. 

  Advances in Propulsion and Reusable Technologies

  • ISRO is developing Electric Propulsion Systems (EPS), advanced cryogenic and semi-cryogenic engines, and reusable rocket technologies. 
  • New technologies include Bootstrap Ignition Technology for multiple restarts of the CE20 engine and improved Vikas Engine throttling capabilities. 
  • The RLV-TD programme has successfully demonstrated autonomous runway landings, paving the way for low-cost reusable launch systems. 

  Indigenous Electronics and Space Systems

  • ISRO and the Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL), Chandigarh, developed VIKRAM3201, India’s first indigenous 32-bit space microprocessor. 
  • KALPANA32 was developed for high-reliability space missions, reducing dependence on foreign components. 

  Growing Global Space Partnerships

  • Since 2014, India has launched 399 foreign satellites and signed over 300 cooperation agreements with 61 countries and 5 multilateral organizations. 
  • Major collaborations include: 
  • Russia for the Gaganyaan programme. 
  • NASA for the NISAR mission. 
  • CNES (France) for the TRISHNA mission. 
  • JAXA (Japan) for the LUPEX mission. 
  • ESA for future human spaceflight cooperation. 
  • Strategic partnerships with Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Mauritius, and Bhutan. 

  Regional Cooperation and BIMSTEC Initiative

  • India leads the BIMSTEC Space Programme under its Neighbourhood First Policy. 
  • It supports disaster management, weather forecasting, capacity building, and satellite-based applications for member countries. 
  • India has also proposed regional nanosatellites and shared Earth observation data. 

  NavIC: India’s Indigenous Navigation System

  • NavIC provides positioning and navigation services across India and beyond 1,500 km. 
  • Second-generation satellites NVS-01 and NVS-02 have been launched to enhance reliability. 
  • NavIC supports train tracking, vehicle monitoring, power-grid synchronization, Aadhaar geo-tagging, and public safety systems.
    Current Facts
    • Singappen Special Force (SSF)

    In order to strengthen the Singappen Special Force (SSF) and provide a mechanism for emergency calls and quick response, Helpline 1091 has been designated the dedicated helpline. 1091 has also been integrated with the 112 Emergency Response System to ensure faster response and seamless coordination during emergencies.

    Space Applications for Governance and Development

    • Satellite-based technologies support: 
    • Agriculture and food security through crop forecasting and drought assessment. 
    • Water resource management through India-WRIS and hydrological services. 
    • Disaster management via NDEM 5.0 and Satellite-Aided Search and Rescue (SASAR). 
    • Rural development programmes such as MGNREGA, PMGSY, PMKSY, and AMRUT. 

    Support to Coastal Communities

    • Potential Fishing Zone (PFZ) advisories help fishermen identify productive fishing areas. 
    • Distress Alert Transmitters (DATs) improve safety and emergency response for fishing vessels. 

    Space-Based Health and Education Services

    • ISRO operates around 179 telemedicine nodes, including facilities in Ladakh and Siachen. 
    • Under PM e-VIDYA, 370 educational channels are delivered through GSAT-15 and GSAT-9 satellites, promoting digital learning. 

    South Asia Satellite (GSAT-9)

    • Launched in 2017, GSAT-9 provides communication services to neighbouring countries including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. 
    • It supports telemedicine, tele-education, weather forecasting, and disaster management. 

    Geoportals and Citizen-Centric Services

    • Platforms such as Bhuvan, Bhoonidhi, MOSDAC, and VEDAS provide satellite-derived information for governance, weather forecasting, flood management, and infrastructure monitoring. 

    Towards a Responsible Space Power

    • India has emerged as a trusted global partner through international cooperation, commercial launches, and knowledge sharing. 
    • Guided by Space Vision 2047, the country aims to combine scientific advancement with inclusive development and the peaceful use of outer space. 
    • Space technology is increasingly strengthening governance, economic growth, and citizens’ quality of life, reinforcing India’s status as a leading and responsible spacefaring nation.