ISRO: Making Bharat an emerging leader in the global space sector during the previous decade.

Introduction:

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has been on a remarkable journey of space exploration, firmly establishing itself as one of the world’s leading space agencies. With a series of groundbreaking missions and technological achievements, ISRO has not only elevated Bharat’s reputation in the global space community but also fostered international collaborations. This blog delves into ISRO’s accomplishments, focusing on new India’s steller decade in the space sector during its Amrit Kaal.

Bharat has witnessed a 123 percent rise in the space budget with 5615 crore in 20-13-14 to 12543 crores in the year 2023-24. Before the previous decade only 35 foreign satellites were launched by Bharat whereas in the previous decade an impressive 389 foreign satellites were launched which earned 3300 crores to the nation. In 2014, Bharat launched 104 satellites at a time, making a world record out of which 101 were foreign satellites.

The space policy of Bharat has opened up the doors for the private sector to contribute in the space sector by utilising ISRO technologies and facilities. The first private launchpad and mission control centre in 2020 and since then 140 new start-ups have emerged while In-SPACe created an ecosystem of industry, academia and innovation that is rewriting a new chapter of space exploration in Amrit Kaal.

1. ISRO’s Journey: Reaching for the Stars:

Founded in 1969, ISRO embarked on a journey to explore the depths of space. Over the years, it has achieved numerous milestones, including the launch of its first satellite Aryabhata in 1975 and the successful Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) in 2014, making India the first Asian nation to reach Mars. These achievements laid the foundation for ISRO’s reputation as a reliable and proficient space agency.

After the successful Mangalyan, the successful landing of Chandrayan 3 made ISRO shine on the Global Space map as an emerging leader. Bharat is now the first country to ever land on the south pole of the moon and 4th country ever to reach on the moon. This mission was not only accurately aspirational but also economically efficient. There’s a lot of fuel left as everything was very nominal on the way to the Moon and there were no contingencies requiring corrections (for which fuel would have been expended). We’re left with almost all the margin, that’s around 150+kg,” stated Isro chairman S Somanath to TOI.

The ‘Vikram’ lander had 3 major payloads namely RAMBHA LP – Langmuir Probe, ChaSTE – Chandr’s Surface Thermo-Physical Experiment and ILSA – Instrument of Lunar Seismic Activity whereas the ‘Pragyan’ rover had two major payloads namely APXS – Alpha Particle X-Ray Spectrometer and LIBS – Laser Induced Breakdown Spectrometer. The success of Chandrayaan-3 could contribute significantly to India’s space economy, projected to be worth USD 13 billion by 2025. This boost can catalyze employment generation, encourage private investments, and foster the growth of the country’s space-tech ecosystem.

The successfully launched Aditya L1 on 4th September 2023 is designed to provide remote observations of the Solar corona and conduct in-situ observations of the Solar wind at L1 (Sun-Earth Lagrangian point), which is about 1.5 million kilometres from the Earth.

2. PSLV-C56 Mission: A Landmark in ISRO’s Success:

The recent PSLV-C56 mission marked another landmark in ISRO’s space exploration journey. Launched on July 30, 2023, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota, the mission successfully deployed seven foreign satellites into their designated orbits. The main payload of the mission was the DS-SAR satellite, developed by Singapore. This sophisticated satellite is equipped with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology, enabling it to generate high-resolution images for various applications, including agriculture, urban planning, disaster management, and environmental monitoring.

3. Co-Passenger Satellites: Expanding Global Collaborations:

In addition to the DS-SAR satellite, the PSLV-C56 mission also carried six co-passenger satellites from different countries, each serving unique purposes. These satellites included:

– 3 Diamonds: These three microsatellites developed by the Italian Space Agency (ASI) are dedicated to Earth observation and maritime surveillance applications.

– Blue Bird-1: Developed by Turkey’s Space Technologies Research Institute, Blue Bird-1 is a high-resolution Earth observation satellite aimed at providing valuable data for urban planning and disaster management.

– SIES 3: Developed by Spain’s UniversitatPolitecnica de Catalunya, SIES 3 is a technology demonstration satellite focusing on experimental payloads and educational purposes.

– I-AoT-2: The second satellite in Japan’s Internet of Things (IoT) Application Satellite series, I-AoT-2 aims to test advanced IoT communication technologies in space.

4. Benefits of Launching Foreign Satellites for India:

ISRO’s endeavors in launching foreign satellites bring multiple advantages to India’s space program and its standing on the global stage:

– Economic Gains: Collaborative space missions allow ISRO to earn foreign exchange revenue, benefiting India’s economy while making space access more cost-effective for partner countries.

– Technological Advancements: Partnerships facilitate the exchange of knowledge and technology, enabling both ISRO and collaborating nations to enhance their space capabilities.

– Diplomatic Cooperation: Launching foreign satellites fosters goodwill and strengthens diplomatic relations between India and partner countries, leading to potential joint ventures and collaborations in other sectors.

To Conclude, India’s space journey has been characterized by dedication, innovation, and international collaboration. The recent PSLV-C56 mission exemplifies Bharat’s commitment to space exploration and cooperation with other nations. As ISRO continues its pursuit of reaching for the stars, it not only strengthens its own capabilities but also contributes significantly to global scientific knowledge and cooperation. With each successful mission, India showcases its technological prowess, firmly establishing itself as a major player in the space race. As the nation continues to explore the cosmos, its aspirations to reach greater heights become an inspiration for the world to dream big and explore the unknown horizons of the universe.