The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), a pioneer in space exploration, has named eminent rocket scientist, S. Somanath as its Chairman and Space Secretary. This article will highlight the achievements of ISRO and its future missions while delving into challenges faced by the organization and the steps taken towards Space Revolution in India.
Profile of S. Somanath
S. Somanath has contributed significantly to India’s space journey. His major contributions include his role in the development of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mk-III (GSLV Mk-III). He joined the GSLV Mk-III project in 2003 and served as Project Director from 2010 to 2014, showcasing his expertise in system engineering of launch vehicles. Later, he contributed to the development of indigenous cryogenic stages for the GSLV.
About ISRO
ISRO, headquartered at Bengaluru, was formed in 1969 with the vision to develop and harness space technology for national development while also pursuing planetary exploration and space science research. It replaced its predecessor, INCOSPAR, established in 1962 by India’s first Prime Minister Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru and scientist Vikram Sarabhai.
Achievements of ISRO
ISRO’s achievements range from the launch of the first Indian satellite, Aryabhata, with the help of the Soviet Union in 1975 to carrying out successful launches of several earth observation and communication satellites for India and other countries. ISRO has also deployed indigenous satellite navigation systems. Its most significant achievement came in January 2014 when it used an indigenously built cryogenic engine for a GSLV-D5 launch of the GSAT-14 satellite.
ISRO’s Space Probes
ISRO’s successful space probes include Chandrayaan-1 lunar orbiter, Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan-1), and ASTROSAT space observatory. The success of the Mars Orbiter Mission made India only the fourth country in the world to reach the Martian orbit.
Major ISRO Achievements in 2021
In 2021, ISRO marked several milestones, including the 53rd flight of PSLV-C51, which was the first dedicated mission for New Space India Ltd (NSIL), and the deployment of UNITYsat (three satellites) to provide Radio relay services.
Upcoming Missions
ISRO has ambitious plans for the future, including the launch of India’s maiden space mission, Gaganyaan, in 2023, the expected launch of Chandrayaan-3 during the third quarter of 2022, and the planned launch of three Earth Observation Satellites (EOSs) in the first quarter of 2022. Additionally, ISRO is also planning missions to Venus and to launch its own space station by 2030.
Challenges For ISRO
Despite the significant strides that ISRO has made in space exploration, it still only contributes to 2% of the global space economy. The lack of space-specific laws and the effective monopoly enjoyed by ISRO over all space-related activities are cited as the main reasons for the limited contribution. Furthermore, the need for a domestic space law has only been realized recently due to the growing interest of the private sector in commercial space activity.
Steps Toward Space Revolution
India has taken several steps toward Space Revolution, such as introducing the National Space Transportation Policy (NSTP), establishing IN-SPACE, setting up NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), and founding the Indian Space Association (ISpA).
Way Forward
Activities such as asteroid mining, Earth observation, space tourism, satellite launches, deep-space exploration, and satellite internet will be the drivers of the new space economy. With its cost-effective technology, emerging start-up culture, abundant youth, technological know-how, and ISRO acting as a springboard, India has the potential to become a world leader in the global space economy. However, careful consideration is needed while framing the domestic space law as it could significantly impact India’s future in the realm of space exploration.
