Source: HINDU

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Context

From an infant space programme in the 1960s, India has grown into a powerful space-faring nation.

Details

 ISRO has been at the forefront of this progress achieving remarkable milestones such as the Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan missions.

 As the space sector increasingly moves towards commercialization, India aims to solidify its position as a key space-faring nation by developing cutting-edge technologies like the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) and fostering private sector participation.

Read about India’s space sector: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/indias-space-sector-22

Six Decades Of India's Space Journey: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/six-decades-of-indias-space-journey-and-emerging-private-space-sector#:~:text=Reforms%20like%20the%202020%20space,firms%20to%20boost%20their%20capabilities.

ISRO’s Road Map

India's ambitious space objectives for the coming decades include:

Gaganyaan Mission: Launching India's first crewed mission to space.

Space Station Development: Establishing a permanent space station in Earth's orbit.

Human Spaceflight to the Moon: Expanding human presence to the lunar surface.

To achieve these goals, ISRO is focusing on:

Conducting uncrewed moon missions.

Developing human-centric technologies for space travel.

Designing reusable, heavy-lift rockets such as the NGLV approved for development by the Union Cabinet.

The Significance of NGLV

The NGLV is pivotal to India’s space strategy due to its advanced features:

The NGLV can carry triple the payload of India’s current Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mk III (LVM3).

Increased payload capacity reduces the need for miniaturization enabling more ambitious missions.

Reusable rockets drastically reduce costs by enabling multiple launches.

Controlled descent technology is a key feature though it slightly reduces payload capacity.

Challenges in Immediate Space Needs

Despite the promise of the NGLV, its development will take eight years, leaving a gap in India’s capability for heavy-lift missions:

Moon Missions: India’s next uncrewed moon mission requires two LVM3 rockets to assemble a composite vehicle in space, highlighting the need for more powerful rockets.

Dependency on Foreign Launchers:

ISRO used SpaceX's Falcon 9 for the GSAT-N2 satellite, as its weight exceeded LVM3’s capacity.

SpaceX’s rockets like Falcon Heavy and Starship have far greater payload capabilities underlining India’s current technological gap.

Leveraging the Private Sector

Read about private players in Indian space sector:

https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/private-players-in-indian-space-sector

To address these challenges and bolster capabilities India must tap into its private sector:

The Department of Space can contract private firms to design reusable, heavy-lift rockets.

Foreign collaborations can supplement domestic expertise and commercial rocket engines are already available.

Payments tied to specific project milestones can ensure accountability and cost efficiency.

Benefits of Private Sector Involvement

Multiple rockets ensure operational continuity.

A robust industrial base can meet the growing demand for space missions.

Investment in innovation and infrastructure will enhance India's overall technological ecosystem.

Way Forward

India must foster a specialized industrial base to support its space ambitions.

Collaboration with academia, startups and global firms can accelerate advancements.

Clear guidelines and incentives for private players will encourage participation.

A self-reliant space program ensures India’s security and reduces dependency on foreign entities.

Conclusion

Achieving strategic autonomy in space transportation requires a synergistic approach involving ISRO, private player and international collaborations. By fostering innovation and building a resilient space ecosystem India can not only meet its ambitious goals but also emerge as a global leader in the space economy.

Sources:

HINDU