Policy to Practice - New Normal of Space Sector

Acta Astronautica, 2010

New Space, 2016

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 cooperation 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.

2018

development, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) devised its space programme with the objective of “Harnessing space technology for national development, while pursuing space science research and planetary exploration” since its inception and this has remained the fundamental tenet around which the Indian Space Programme has evolved. The ISRO Satellite Centre has rolled out 100 satellites capable of providing services in various application domains like communication, meteorology, remote sensing, navigation and space science explorations. These satellites are continuing to serve the key sectors of the Indian economy such as socioeconomic security, sustainable development, disaster risk reduction, and governance at large. M. Annadurai SCIENCE IN INDIA | SPECIAL / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

Handbook of Space Security, 2019

India could be said to have begun its space program during early 1960s by undertaking launching of sounding rockets. A structured approach towards evolving the space agenda for the nation could be said to have begun with the establishment of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on August 15, 1969. The prime objective of ISRO is to develop space technologies to cater for various societal needs. Subsequently, the Department of Space (DOS) and the Space Commission were set up in 1972 which oversee planning and implementation of India space agenda. India launched its first satellite during 1975 and earned the space-faring nation status during 1980. Over the years ISRO's program has matured significantly and at present Indian space program is regarded as one of the important space programs in the world. From launching small satellites to undertaking a successful mission to Moon and Mars, India has excelled in almost all areas of space experimentations. India is also proposing to undertake its first human space mission by 2022. India is a nuclear weapon state and has made significant investments towards establishing its military

Even as India has made important progress over the decades to establish itself as a major spacefaring power, its performance can be maximized if India’s political leadership is to drive the policy with a greater sense of purpose, instead of being driven by the technocrats’ agendas. Given the increasing security imperative, India needs to make the shift from a purely civilian-driven programme to one that is driven by national security imperatives. Although officials associated with India’s space programme have repeatedly declared that India’s space programme has never been short of financial resources, the reality is that both its institutional and financial resources are stretched too thin to be effective. India also needs to strengthen its rocket launching facilities to augment India’s capacity to launch higher number of rockets. The debate on a second and third launch pad is currently on. A quick decision in this regard is important both from a commercial and national security perspective. India needs to adopt a considered space policy that would integrate both the commercial and national security needs in a balanced manner. Lastly, India’s political leadership has to take ownership of this domain and dictate priorities and directions including in the military realm for more effective and efficient pursuit of its national interests in this area.

Acta Astronautica, 2008

Strategic thinking and planning have been the hallmarks of Indian space programme, whose objectives are sharply focused on deriving socioeconomic benefits of space technology. The purpose of this paper is to identify various strategies, which played a role in different phases of the programme, contributing to social and economic outcomes and effectiveness. While self-reliant development of technological capacity and evaluation of applications with involvement of users formed the backbone of strategy in the initial phase of the programme, subsequent strategies were centred on development of organisational culture and systems, industry role and promotion of spin offs. Other strategies dealt with the response to challenges inherent in space endeavours in terms of risk management, sustainability, investments and long-term commitments, judicious make or buy decisions, safeguard of sensitive technologies, space commerce and finally harmonising international cooperation with national objectives. The strategies in the programme were consistently driven by a clear-cut vision and objectives to develop and use space technology in diverse areas where space systems become relevant for socioeconomic development such as telecommunications and broadcasting, meteorology, disaster management support, remote sensing of natural and anthropogenic phenomena, and positioning and navigation services. This paper synthesises various studies and experiences in India in order to analyse strategies in the face of changes in technology, application needs and international policies. It also examines the effectiveness of these strategies in terms of economic and social costs and benefits. Based on the above analysis, a typical conceptual model for use of space for development is suggested.

Strategic Analysis

As contestation in outer space has evolved into increased militarization since the Cold War era, multiple stakeholders have come to play a significant role in shaping the international regime governing activities of State and non-State actors in outer space. India has interacted with this international regime in a dynamic manner, and currently contributes about 2 per cent to the US$ 360 billion global space industry. Its own security compulsions in outer space are shaped by its national interests vis-a-vis data collection, C4ISR, satellite communications, and of course, deterrence against the rising military might of hostile countries in its neighbourhood—China and Pakistan. In this light, this article looks at the potential of India’s domestic material and policy-based space architecture, including the functioning of ISRO and its collaboration with the private sector, as well as India’s current space-based assets and ASAT capabilities. On the basis of this assessment of India’s current institutional and infrastructural assets for outer space, the article also attempts to chart a trajectory forward for India’s space policy and counter-space capabilities.

Global Risk Insights , 2019

During the past two decades, several initiatives by ISRO concerning the Indian space programme have been conducted. These reflect both an international environment of competition for space dominance and India’s growing wealth and technological capability.

This article discusses the basic philosophy behind India's space strategy based on ideological, sociological, political, economic, geostrategic and legal constructs. The paper uses the metaphor of "deconstruction" made famous by the French philosopher Jacques Derrida's (1930e2004) to understand various transitions (if any) in India's space policy over the years and the philosophy behind them. The paper follows a 'narrative based scrutiny' approach to recognise Indian attitude for investments into space technologies.

Handbook of Space Security, 2020

With a modest start in the 1960s by Dr. Vikram A. Sarabhaiknown as the father of Indian space programthe latter has matured in the last six decades through the use of space technologies and applications for national development. Undoubtedly there has been a major evolution since its inception. In this direction, programs and missions developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) consist of launch vehicle development, Earth observation, satellite communications, satellite navigation and space science and planetary