Indian Space: Toward a “National Ecosystem” for Future Space Activities

Abstract

Abstract

The vision of Indian Space was enunciated (in early 1970) by Dr. Vikram Sarabhai—who envisioned the development of Indian space capability for benefit to society and meeting national development goals. The program is founded on self-reliance and indigenous capability development. Indian space activities have made tremendous progress in the past 50 years with successful satellites that have contributed to national development, science endeavor, and technological capability. Indian communication satellites in INSAT; Indian Earth observation (EO) satellites in IRS; Indian positioning satellites in Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System; various science missions; Indian launch vehicles in the PSLV and GSLV; mission to Moon—Chandrayaan-1; a mission to Mars have paved the way for advanced successful development of space capability in India. Successful foray into global markets has also been achieved. All this has enabled a high-class end-to-end systemic capability of design, development, and operations of Indian space assets and applications. Space-based services have created a huge and growing user base—which is a unique opportunity for developing the space industry and creating high-technology jobs. The changing policy environment in India—favoring deregulation, investments and thrusted privatization, impetus to manufacturing, intensive co-operation and so on, is generating a strong market drive for space activities in India. Indian space needs to orient for a quantum jump in technological growth and adopt organizational models that will ensure economic efficiency and position a vibrant private sector. National consequences for Indian human spaceflight and planetary exploration program; quest for a larger share and role in global space market; strategies to deal with changing political and economic environments and focused imperatives of international cooperation need strategic focus. The National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS) has taken up a policy research study to determine a futuristic Indian Space Policy—a comprehensive “Indian Space Policy” that addresses the long-term strategy of Indian space and promotes a holistic Indian space enterprise—alignment to national goals of industrialization and development; evolving a vibrant ecosystem of government–private sector partnership that assures operational space services (communications, EO and navigation, etc.) and advanced technology development; national commitment for ‘long-term’ human space—flight and planetary exploration mission investments and a strategic international cooperation regime. NIAS has undertaken wide consultation with Indian space professionals and is organizing a National Space Policy Workshop—all of which will be assimilated into the Policy document. The article presents the outcome of this study and the future Indian Space Policy.