India’s Space Odyssey: Shaping Global Technological Advancements Through Space Exploration (Part I)
Shrawani Shagun
Guest Researcher, Max Planck Institute Luxembourg
PhD Fellow and Junior Research Fellow, TERI School of Advanced Studies, New Delhi
Introduction
India has a long-standing space program that has played a crucial role in the country’s national development and external power projection capability. India’s space program has made remarkable contributions in the fields of satellite technology, remote sensing, and communication systems. India’s space agency, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has been offering commercial launch services through its commercial arm, Antrix Corporation Limited. ISRO’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) have been used to launch numerous satellites for various countries. These launch services have contributed to India’s revenue generation and its share of the global launch market. The program’s efforts have been a significant driving force behind the technological advancements not only in India but also globally.
One of the key drivers for India’s space program has always been to focus on the growth of entrepreneurial spirit without compromising national security. The Global Space Community recognises the Indian space program for its ability to launch cost-effectively. In the context of the emerging commercial space sector and its growing role in the space economy, cost efficiency does matter a lot. In this post, I will provide an overview of India’s civilian and military space capabilities, as well as reflect on recent, exciting developments within the Indian commercial space sector.
India and the Global Space Market: A Catalyst for International Collaboration
The impact of India’s space sector on the global space market is significant. India’s cost-effective launch capabilities and its growing commercial space industry continue to attract attention and investment from around the world. To further maximize the positive impact of India’s space program, the Indian government prioritizes collaboration and coordination among different agencies and stakeholders. Additionally, it focuses on developing policies that support the growth and sustainability of the commercial space sector.
On 20 April 2023, the Indian government revealed a groundbreaking space policy that can significantly alter the country’s approach to space exploration. The new policy stipulates that the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will primarily focus on research and development in advanced technologies. It shall no longer be in charge of manufacturing operational space systems. The Indian space program has the potential to achieve more, and by supporting its growth and innovation, the contribution of ISRO would be of immense help in propelling India into the forefront of space exploration. Research, development and innovation play an active role in augmenting the development and competitiveness of the space program and shifting the prime focus of ISRO on that would pave the way for greater achievements in space exploration.
The policy now grants non-government entities (NGEs) the ability to offer national and international space-based communication services using their geostationary orbit (GSO) and non-geostationary satellite orbit (NGSO) satellite systems. Additionally, NGEs are encouraged to establish and operate ground facilities for space object operations such as telemetry, tracking and command (TT&C) Earth Stations and Satellite Control Centres (SCCs). NGEs are also permitted to undertake end-to-end activities in the space sector, including the establishment and operation of space objects, ground-based assets, and related services such as communication, remote sensing, and navigation. The policy also encourages NGEs to use Indian orbital resources and/or non-Indian orbital resources to establish space objects for communication services over India and outside. In addition, NGEs are encouraged to develop space transportation systems, including launch vehicles, shuttles, and reusable, recoverable, and reconfigurable technologies and systems for space transportation. The policy encourages NGEs to engage in the commercial recovery of an asteroid resource or a space resource. This would involve the extraction of resources from asteroids or other celestial bodies for commercial purposes. India had had no national policy contrary to other space-faring nations that enacted national laws specifically addressing space resources such as the 2015 U.S. Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act, or the 2017 Luxembourg Space Resources Law. India had its legal framework governing space activities, with the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) responsible for implementing these regulations. However, India’s space policy and legal framework have been evolving to accommodate emerging space activities, including the potential utilization of space resources. As the legal and regulatory landscape in the space industry was evolving, there was a need for new laws and policies. Overall, the new space policy is a significant step forward for India’s space programme and will likely lead to a more diverse and innovative approach to space exploration in the country. It is nonetheless important to understand if there is any need for a national space law in addition to the existing policy. The answer to this will require a critical analysis of the existing provisions of the policy which I shall discuss in my next post(s).
Ultimately, with continued investment and innovation, India has the potential to become a major player in the global space economy. The country has utilized these advancements to enhance its infrastructure and economic development, which has further benefitted the nation. India actively participates in various multilateral forums related to outer space activities, including the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS). India has contributed to UNCOPUOS and its engagement reflects its commitment to responsible and peaceful space activities and its willingness to collaborate with the global community to address the challenges and opportunities presented by outer space. In essence, India’s space program has emerged as a crucial player in the global technological landscape with its innovative approaches and endeavours. Besides, India’s space program has also partnered with other countries to work on joint projects, thereby promoting the exchange of knowledge and technology. India has signed bilateral agreements with several countries for space cooperation across various domains.
India has a long history of space cooperation with Russia, including collaborative efforts in satellite technology and launch services. Both countries have worked together on various space missions, satellite launches, and space exploration projects. India and the United States have collaborated on space exploration, satellite technology, and Earth observation. The landmark collaboration between NASA and ISRO on the Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) is a notable example. Also, India has worked closely with France on space projects, including the development and launch of satellites for Earth observation and scientific research. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the French space agency CNES (Centre National d’Études Spatiales) have a history of collaboration. India has established similar bilateral agreements and collaboration with Israel, Germany, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Japan and Canada. Canadian companies have also used ISRO’s launch services to deploy their satellites. These examples illustrate the diverse range of countries with which India has signed bilateral agreements for space cooperation. Such agreements aim to enhance scientific research, technology development, and international collaboration in space-related activities. They promote the sharing of knowledge, expertise, and resources for the mutual benefit of participating nations.
India’s space program serves as a transformative catalyst in the global technological landscape. By pioneering advancements in research, development, and space exploration, India has set a precedent for other nations to follow. The recent ground-breaking space policy, which encourages the participation of non-government entities and the sustainable utilization of space resources, reflects India’s commitment to shaping the future of space exploration and technology. With its unwavering commitment to responsible and peaceful space activities, India’s space odyssey inspires us to reach for the stars and collectively push the boundaries of human achievement, thus solidifying its role as a catalyst for transformative change in the realm of space exploration and technology. India’s forward-looking space policy, coupled with its historic Chandrayaan-3 lunar landing in August 2023, exemplifies the nation’s commitment to pioneering space exploration and technological innovation on a global scale.
The Chandrayaan-3: India’s Pioneering Lunar Landing Mission and Its Global Impact
India made history as the first country to land near the South Pole with its Chandrayaan-3 lander on 23 August 2023. This is a significant milestone, as it marks the first time a country has landed on the Moon since China in 2020. Going to the Moon can have many benefits for countries. The Moon offers a chance for countries to work together in a peaceful way, while also allowing for some friendly competition. The south pole of the Moon has become the focus of nations for future exploration. The South Pole area of the moon offers the greatest potential to find water ice, which could be useful for supporting astronauts and making rocket fuel. Additionally, peaks in this region are in constant or near-constant sunlight, which creates excellent opportunities for generating power to support lunar activities. Not only can it inspire us to test the limits of human technical capabilities, but it also provides an opportunity to discover more about our solar system. This is the reason why many countries and commercial entities are interested in landing on the Moon. It’s exciting to see how countries will work together and compete in peaceful ways to achieve these goals. This presents opportunities for forging new partnerships and pooling resources to achieve common goals. By connecting individual researchers and organizations, these partnerships can also encourage peaceful cooperation here on Earth. There are even some who believe that exploring the Moon can have economic benefits, including the emergence of space technology startups and the potential discovery of natural resources like water and rare Earth elements. Overall, the possibilities of lunar exploration are truly exciting and worth pursuing.
The Moon contains valuable resources such as Helium-3, water ice, and rare minerals. Helium-3, in particular, is considered a potential fuel for future fusion reactors. India’s involvement in mining and extracting these resources could create a new industry with significant economic opportunities. Moon exploration further encourages technological advancements as it requires cutting-edge technology development. India’s investment in lunar missions and technology can further develop expertise and intellectual property that can be commercialized in the coming time. Also, India could participate in the space tourism sector by offering launch services, lunar surface activities, and potentially even establishing a space tourism infrastructure.
The landing on the Moon in the backdrop of the newest space policy of India attests to its technological capabilities. Furthermore, with all these new actors and the technical advances of the last 60 years, there is the potential to engage in more sustainable exploration. This could include building Moon bases, developing ways to use lunar resources and eventually engaging in economic activities on the Moon.
Research and development in space missions lead to advancements in various fields such as materials science, robotics, and telecommunications. These innovations can be exploited commercially contributing to economic growth. The development of spacecraft, launch facilities, and lunar infrastructure requires the establishment of manufacturing and assembly facilities. This can lead to job creation and economic growth in regions associated with space activities. As it requires substantial investment and planning to make it a potentially profitable endeavour, private sector involvement in lunar exploration and utilization can be encouraged. A successful and sustained presence on the Moon has the potential of attracting foreign investment and partnerships, further bolstering the Indian space industry. This could include incentivizing private companies to develop lunar technologies, offer commercial lunar services, and invest in space ventures.
India’s bold venture to the Moon beckons humanity to join in the pursuit of scientific knowledge, economic growth, and peaceful collaboration. These remarkable feats underscore the nation’s commitment to pioneering space exploration, a commitment that extends to its role in international agreements such as the Artemis Accords and beyond.
The Artemis Accords and Beyond: India’s Path in Space Exploration
The growth in the number of nations and organizations engaged in space activity over the past few decades is escalating. Satellites have been instrumental in collecting data and imagery, with more than 60 nations involved in these types of missions. A similar trend is seen in space exploration, with a particular focus on the Moon. There is potential for forging new partnerships and pooling resources to achieve common goals, while also encouraging peaceful cooperation on Earth. Exploring the Moon can bring economic benefits to India and enhance India’s global reputation as a space-faring nation.
Article IX of the Outer Space Treaty requires that all activities in space be conducted “with due regard to the corresponding interests of others.” Following this rule of law, many nations are currently working toward collaborative use of space resources. It has become important, thus, to develop a framework for space resource management. The U.S.-led Artemis Program is a coalition of commercial and international partners whose first goal is to return humans to the Moon by 2024. The plan is to establish a long-term lunar base.
The Artemis Accords are a set of principles and guidelines for international cooperation in lunar exploration and space activities on and around the Moon. They were initiated by the United States and signed by several countries, including India, to promote peaceful and responsible lunar exploration and resource utilization. While the Artemis Accords do not aim to replace or undermine existing international space treaties, such as the Outer Space Treaty, they do provide a framework for addressing specific aspects of lunar exploration and resource utilization that are not explicitly covered in the Outer Space Treaty. They are intended to complement existing international space law framework.
However, there are concerns about potential conflicts between the Artemis Accords and the Outer Space Treaty due to certain interpretations given through the accord to the existing provisions of the space legal instruments. Another aspect is that they provide much-needed clarity and guidance for contemporary lunar exploration activities. The interpretation and impact of the Artemis Accords may vary among different countries and stakeholders, and discussions about their compatibility with existing space treaties are ongoing within the international space community. Ultimately, the effectiveness and influence of the Artemis Accords will depend on how countries choose to implement and uphold them within the framework of existing international space law.
In addition, Russia and China have announced plans for a joint International Lunar Research Station and invited international collaboration as well. These missions aim to determine what resources are available on the Moon, where they are located and how difficult it will be to extract them.
Building upon these initiatives, India stands at the forefront of a dynamic and collaborative space environment. India’s accession to the Artemis Accords in June 2023 and the Chandrayaan-3 lunar landing in August 2023 serve as testaments to its commitment to lunar exploration and global cooperation. By actively engaging in lunar exploration and international collaborations, India is not only advancing its position within the global space community but also contributing to the collective pursuit of scientific knowledge and economic opportunities. As technology continues to advance and new challenges emerge, India’s steadfast commitment to peaceful and responsible space activities reinforces its role as a significant influencer in shaping the future of space exploration and technology. With its established space agency, ISRO, India possesses the expertise to capture a larger share of the global space market, further stimulating growth in satellite manufacturing, launch services, and space research. In this ever-evolving landscape, India’s space policy remains a guiding force, fueling its journey of exploration, innovation, and international cooperation, all of which continue to enrich global technological advancements and propel humanity into a new era of space exploration.
Conclusion
India’s space program has undeniably played a pivotal role in advancing global technology and scientific capabilities, carving a path toward humanity’s transition into a space-faring species. Its remarkable achievements, from successful lunar landings to pioneering satellite technology, have not only expanded our understanding of the cosmos but have also propelled humans closer to realizing the potential of utilizing space resources for our survival and prosperity, both in space and on Earth.
Yet, as it ventures further into the cosmic frontier, it becomes imperative to address certain critical aspects within Indian space policies, particularly those related to sustainability and environmental considerations. These challenges serve as a reminder of the need to cultivate a framework that not only inspires further technological advancements but also safeguards our cosmic endeavours for generations to come.
As it stands on the precipice of even greater discoveries and endeavours, India’s space program must continue to serve as an emblem of innovation, international collaboration, and responsible exploration. Together, we can shape the course of humanity’s journey into the stars, forging a sustainable and prosperous future amidst the mysteries of the universe.
