Future Indian Space: Perspectives of Game Changers

Abstract

In the past 50 years, Indian Space has seen many successful milestones, demonstrating excelling Indian technology and widespread utilization of space services in different areas of the national economy. Present capabilities and capacities of Indian Space are mainly in the unitary capabilities of the national space agency—this has enabled the nation to significantly achieve about 10–12 high-quality missions every year. Meeting future domestic needs and benefiting by access to a large global market of space will require a quantum jump in capabilities and capacities to be served. Another important development is the aspirational growth of the Indian economy and the people. With agross domestic product (GDP) growth hovering around 7%–8% and a few trillion dollar economy, the nation has launched important developmental initiatives—Digital India, Make in India, Smart City, Swach Bharat, National Education Mission, and National Skill Mission programs. Thus, demands for diverse applications of space technology are inevitable, integrating across geographical, sectoral, and temporal domains of the country. In an earlier suo-moto study, we have outlined the future 10–20 years of policy perspectives for Indian Space development and also outlined the perspectives of how a national space ecosystem would emerge, evolving from the present national space agency into a public–private–academia triad. Looking ahead into such a national ecosystem, we now visualize critical developments that will bring impacting and paradigm shifts to holistic Indian Space through the triad—game changers. With about 100–150 possible missions in the coming 10–20 years—encompassing earth observation, satellite communications, positioning, space science, planetary missions, operational and advanced launch access missions, and the initiation of a human spaceflight program—the critical shifts would be not just technological advancements but also organizational restructuring from emerging newer organizational arrangements, industrialization and emergence of private space industry, deeper penetration of space services in Indian society, increasing global presence of Indian players, and a vibrant cooperative and collaboration at the international level. What will drive these game changers? Cost efficiency will be one key driver amply demonstrated in many sectors for global markets; this will impact global space markets and bring a leveling effect across global markets. Indian skills and human resources will be another driver, with Indian scientists, engineers, and managers playing a major role in the national and global space. Third will be Indian innovation—the ability to improvise and innovate with simple low-cost, but effective, solutions. These three drivers will bring a new economic model that balances systems, costs, and performance. The article provides a perspective of future Indian Space and outlines game changer impacts that will emerge for space activities in India. The article also discusses how, in an integrated manner, Indian Space can and should reach greater heights by key policy, strategy, and actions for the coming few decades.