India’s Space Journey

November 21 marked the 61st anniversary of India’s space programme, which began on this date in 1963 with the launch of the Nike-Apache sounding rocket from Thumba, Kerala. This event marked the start of India’s journey in space exploration. Over time, this has led to the establishment of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), now a global leader in space technology.

In recent developments, India launched its first satellite aboard a SpaceX rocket, marking a milestone as the private sector gets more involved in space missions.

Recent Developments and Launches:

• GSAT-N2 Satellite Launch:
  • NewSpace India Ltd., a government company, launched the GSAT-N2/GSAT-20 satellite from Florida, USA aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
  • The GSAT-N2 satellite weighs 4,700 kg and will improve broadband services in remote areas like the northeast, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadweep.
  • The satellite will also support services like in-flight internet and Smart Cities Mission.
  • GSAT-N2 was launched using a SpaceX rocket because it was too heavy for India's LVM-3 rocket (India’s most powerful, which can carry up to 4,000 kg).
• Upcoming Launches:
  • ISRO’s PSLV-C59 mission will launch Proba-3, a European mission to study the Sun, on December 4, 2024.
  • Shubhanshu Shukla, India’s astronaut-in-training, is preparing for a mission to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2025.

Milestones in Indian Rocketry:

• Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-3) – 1980: India joined a select group of nations with the launch of its Satellite Launch Vehicle-3 (SLV-3). On July 18, 1980, it successfully placed the Rohini satellite into orbit, making India the 6th nation to have this capability (after the U.S., Soviet Union, U.K., France, and Japan).
• The Evolution of ISRO’s Rockets: After the SLV-3, India developed a series of other rockets:
  • ASLV (Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicles)
  • PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle), which became ISRO’s workhorse for most missions.
  • GSLV (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle) for heavier payloads.

PSLV, in particular, became reliable and widely used for launching satellites into various orbits for communication, weather, and navigation purposes.

ISRO’s Current Role:

• Today, India is a global leader in space technology. ISRO has developed and launched a variety of satellites for remote sensing, weather forecasting, communication, navigation, surveillance, and deep-space exploration (studying the Moon, Mars, and the Sun).
• ISRO’s rockets are capable of launching satellites into different orbits, and India has ensured reliable access to space, a statement made by Ramakrishnan, a renowned rocket technologist.

Private Sector Involvement:

India’s private space sector is also growing rapidly with several companies preparing to launch their own missions:

• Pixxel: This Indian-American company is preparing to launch ‘Fireflies’, a constellation of 6 hyperspectral satellites in early 2024. These satellites will monitor things like crop diseases, water scarcity, deforestation, and ocean pollution.
• GalaxEye Space: This company will launch its Tech Demo satellite on a PSLV rocket’s Orbital Experimental Module (POEM) platform to test synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technology for Earth observation.
• PierSight Space: ‘Varuna’, another private satellite, will demonstrate an antenna technology and test SAR and avionics on a PSLV POEM
• HEX20: This company will launch its ‘Nila’ satellite (5 kg) onboard SpaceX’s Transporter-13 mission in February 2025. The satellite will offer data processing services.

Other Developments in Space and Science:

• Catalyx Space: SR-0, a satellite launched by Catalyx Space, successfully completed its mission onboard India’s Small Satellite Launch Vehicle. The satellite re-entered Earth’s atmosphere on November 3.
• AAKA Space Studio: India’s first Space Analog Mission was launched in Leh, Ladakh, with collaboration between ISRO, IIT-Bombay, and University of Ladakh. This mission will test habitat sustainability for future space missions, simulating conditions on Mars or the Moon.
• SatSure: This company is working with the Ministry of Electronics on a program called Svamvita to map rural properties using drones. This will help capture high-resolution images for better planning and development.