China, known for its technological advancements and capabilities, has recently introduced its latest generation of commercial carrier rockets. These new rockets are anticipated to carry up to 1.5-tonne of payload, a significant increase from previous capacities. The new rocket series consists of small space rockets, including solid-fuelled rockets and liquid-propellant rockets. This development comes as China is gearing up to compete with India in the global space launch market.
Introducing China’s New Rocket Series
The new rocket series unveiled by China includes the solid-fuelled rockets codenamed Smart Dragon (SD) family, consisting of the SD-1, SD-2, and SD-3 launch vehicles. In addition, Tenglong, a liquid-propellant rocket which is expected to make its inaugural flight in 2021, is also part of the range. The introduction of these new rockets is a testament to China’s commitment to enhancing its space capabilities.
Competing with India in the Global Space Launch Market
China’s new rocket series launch can be viewed in the context of the country’s aim to compete with India in the global space launch market. According to a 2017 article in the Global Times, ‘China’s space industry lags behind that of India in the commercial space sector.’ Thus, the newly introduced Chinese rockets will face challenges in carving out a niche for themselves in the satellite market where the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has already set a strong foundation.
| Rocket Type | Country | First Flight | Payload Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smart Dragon Family | China | 2020 | 1.5 tonne |
| Tenglong | China | 2021 (Expected) | 1.5 tonne |
| Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle | India | 1993 | 1.67 tonne |
India’s Established Presence in Space Market
To boost its space sector, India recently established New Space India Limited (NSIL). Its mandate revolves around utilizing the research and development findings of ISRO for commercial purposes through partnerships with Indian industries. ISRO’s reliable Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) has so far launched 297 foreign satellites. It features a range of variants tailored for carrying different-sized payloads to various orbits.
The Small Satellite Revolution
A significant development within the space sector is the small satellite revolution. From 2019 to 2030, an estimated 17,000 small satellites are expected to be launched globally. To meet this demand, ISRO is developing a Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) expected to be operational in 2019. This SSLV, along with the proven PSLV, is a promising candidate for outsourcing to the private sector.
Emergence of ‘New Space’
With advancements in technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and big data analytics, the emergence of ‘New Space’ is evident. Antrix, ISRO’s commercial arm, generated revenue exceeding ₹2,000 crore in 2017-18, an amount that is expected to double within five years.
Way Forward for Space-Related Activities
India’s low-price advantage largely drives its space achievements, a factor which is viewed as China’s commercial space sector’s weak point. Therefore, China’s new set of rockets aim to meet the launch mission requirements of domestic and foreign commercial satellites. Increased competition and demand for space-related activities call for national legislation to ensure this sector’s overall growth. In this context, a new Space law for India should aim at facilitating an increase in India’s share of the global space economy over the next decade.
