61 Years Since Thumba Launch of India’s 1st space programme

28-11-2024

November 21, 2024, marks 61 years since the launch of India’s first space programme.
On this day in 1963, ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) launched the Nike-Apache sounding rocket from Thumba, Kerala.
This was a crucial step in India's space journey, helping the nation develop solid propellant technology used today in its launch vehicles.
These early rockets laid the foundation for India’s growing space ambitions.
This anniversary comes at a time when India has achieved significant milestones, including launching its first satellite aboard a SpaceX rocket, while several private Indian companies are also preparing for their own space missions.

India’s Private Space Sector Boom and ISRO’s Role | Data and Facts

1. Introduction

ISRO, since its establishment in 1969, has relied on both state-owned and private sector companies to support its space programs.
Antrix Corporation, established in 1992 as a commercial arm of ISRO, was created to market and promote ISRO’s commercial activities, such as satellite launches, satellite systems, and space data services to international clients.
ISRO Expansion:
1. ISRO is involved in significant space missions, including:
  1. Missions to the Sun (Aditya-L1).
  2. Missions to the Moon (Chandrayaan missions).
  3. Mars missions (Mangalyaan).
  4. Launching space telescopes and astronauts.
  5. ISRO's Bharatiya Antariksh Station : 2028-35
Private Sector Growth:
1. The Indian government has allowed 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the space sector, encouraging private companies to seek overseas funding.

2. History of ISRO’s Commercialisation

Antrix Corporation Ltd (1992):
1. Created as a commercial arm of ISRO, Antrix was designed to:
  - Market ISRO’s products internationally.
  - Facilitate technology transfer.
  - Deliver launch services using ISRO’s PSLV and GSLV vehicles.
2. Key tasks of Antrix:
  - Satellite communication via INSAT system.
  - Launch services for foreign commercial satellites (via PSLV).
  - Providing data from Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellites.
  - Consulting and technology transfer.
NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) (2019):
1. NSIL, a public sector undertaking under the Department of Space (DoS), aims to:
  - Boost indigenous production of ISRO products.
  - Focus on domestic clients, unlike Antrix, which focuses on international clients.

3. Private Players in the Space Sector

Early Aerospace Companies:
1. HAL: Provides structural parts (e.g., heat shield assembly, nose cone assembly, fuel tanks).
2. Godrej Aerospace: Manufactures liquid propulsion engines, satellite thrusters, valves, and complex fabricated assemblies.
3. Ananth Technologies: Provides components for ground stations, nano-satellites, automated test equipment, printed circuit boards (PCBs), and sub-systems for satellites.
4. Data Patterns: Manufactures telemetry systems, communications systems, payload control units, and launch vehicle control systems.
Start-up Emergence:
1. The first space start-up was Dhruva Space Private Limited (2012) in Hyderabad.
2. As of 2023, over 200 space start-ups are registered in India, attracting investments of ₹1,000 crore in 2023.

4. Notable Space Start-ups

Dhruva Space:
1. Founded in 2012, it designs satellites, ground stations, and offers launch services.
2. 1U, 3U, 6U satellite orbital deployers successfully tested on ISRO’s PSLV missions in 2022-2023.
3. Funding: Raised ₹22 crore in October 2021 from Indian Angel Network and Blue Ashva Capital.
Skyroot Aerospace:
1. Founded in 2018, specializes in space launch vehicles.
2. First private Indian start-up to test liquid propulsion engines and 3D printed cryogenic engine.
3. Vikram-S: India’s first private rocket, launched in November 2022 from Sriharikota.
4. Funding: Raised ₹250 crore in 2023 from investor Temasek.
5. Currently developing Vikram-I, Vikram-II, and Vikram-III rockets.
Agnikul Cosmos:
1. Founded in 2017 at Indian Institute of Madras.
2. Created India’s first private mobile launchpad Dhanush and Agnibaan (a transportable launch vehicle).
3. First 3D printed engine Agnilet tested in 2022.
4. Funding: Raised $11 million in Series A round.
Manastu Space:
1. Founded in 2017 in Mumbai.
2. Focuses on green propulsion systems for satellites (hydrogen peroxide-based rocket fuel).
3. Also develops debris collision avoidance systems for CubeSats and in-space refuelling stations.
4. Funding: Raised $3 million in pre-Series A round in 2023 from Indian Angel Network.

5. Regulatory Framework for Private Space Companies

IN-SPACe (2020):
1. Independent body to promote and authorize space activities of private companies.
2. Core tasks:
  - Supervise private entities involved in launch vehicles, satellite manufacturing, and infrastructure sharing.
  - Provide technical incubation for start-ups.
  - Support space tourism and student participation.
  - Signed 45 MoUs with non-government entities (NGEs) as of 2023.
National Geospatial Policy (2022):
1. Allows private companies to acquire geospatial data (maps, satellite imagery) without the need for licenses or government clearances, except for specific categories.
Indian Space Policy (2023):
1. Key provisions:
  - Private companies can manufacture and operate launch vehicles and satellites.
  - Companies can operate ground facilities like telemetry, tracking, and command systems (TT&C).
  - Permission for space resource recovery (e.g., asteroid mining).
  - Provides a framework for commercial space activities, including satellite communication, remote sensing, and space transportation.
2. Impact on ISRO: ISRO will transition towards a focus on research and development in advanced technologies, while private companies take on more operational tasks.

6. FDI and Financial Policies

Amended FDI Policy (2024):
1. 74% FDI allowed for satellite manufacturing and operations.
2. 49% FDI allowed for launch vehicles, spaceports, and associated systems.
3. 100% FDI allowed for satellite components (including ground segments).
4. Investments beyond these limits can be made through the government route.

7. ISRO’s Ongoing Role

ISRO’s Leadership:
1. Launches: As of 2023, ISRO has launched 424 foreign satellites since the 1990s, with 389 launched since 2014.
2. Revenue generated from foreign satellite launches:
  - $174 million from foreign satellite launches (since 2014).
  - £256 million from European satellite launches.
3. Future Missions: Scheduled missions to the Moon, the Sun, Mars, and deep space explorations.
4. Collaboration with Private Players: ISRO is focusing on advanced technologies and research while collaborating with private start-ups for smaller satellite subsystems.

8. Future Prospects

Target for 2040:
1. India’s space economy is projected to grow from $8 billion (2% of the global space economy) to $100 billion by 2040.
ISRO's Role: While the private sector is growing, ISRO remains the driving force behind major space missions and technological innovation, focusing on advanced missions like deep space exploration, moon landings, and large-scale satellite deployments.

Key Space Launches & Missions:

GSAT-N2/GSAT-20 Satellite Launch:
1. In November 2024, NewSpace India Ltd. launched the GSAT-N2/GSAT-20 satellite aboard SpaceX Falcon 9 from Florida, USA.
2. The satellite weighed 4,700 kg, making it too heavy for India’s heaviest rocket, the LVM-3, which can carry up to four tonnes into Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO).
3. This satellite is a Ka-band high-throughput communication satellite built by ISRO. It is designed to enhance broadband services in remote regions, including the northeast, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadweep.
4. The satellite will also support in-flight internet connectivity and the Smart Cities Mission.
5. After launch, the satellite was placed into a GTO with:
  1. Perigee (closest point to Earth) of 250 km,
  2. Apogee (farthest point from Earth) of 59,730 km,
  3. Inclination of 27.5°.
6. The satellite will use its onboard thrusters to move to its geostationary orbit at 63° East longitude over the next few days.
Upcoming ISRO Launches:
1. ISRO is preparing for the PSLV-C59 mission, which will carry the European Proba-3 mission. This mission, set to launch on December 4, 2024, will study the Sun.
2. The launch vehicle will be the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) in its extended configuration (XL), which was last used for the Aditya-L1 solar mission in September 2023.
3. The Proba-3 spacecraft arrived in Chennai on November 6, and the spacecraft will be integrated with the PSLV before launch.
India's First Astronaut Designate Training:
1. Shubhanshu Shukla, India’s astronaut-designate, is currently training at the European Space Agency’s (ESA) European Astronaut Centre.
2. Shukla is set to travel to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2025. His training includes familiarizing himself with the European modules of the ISS.

Indian Private Sector Developments:

Several Indian private companies are preparing to launch their satellites and payloads into space.

Pixxel:
1. Pixxel, an Indian-American space company, introduced its ‘Fireflies’ project, which consists of six hyperspectral satellites.
2. These satellites, each weighing around 50 kg, have a 5-meter spatial resolution and will scan 40 km swaths of Earth for data across more than 150 spectral bands.
3. This batch of satellites is the first step towards a planned constellation of 24 satellites. These satellites will help monitor various environmental issues like crop diseases, water stress, deforestation, and ocean pollution.
4. The satellites are expected to be launched early in 2025.
GalaxEye Space:
1. GalaxEye Space is preparing to launch a technology demonstration satellite called "It’s NOT a Satellite, It’s Just a Tech Demo".
2. This satellite will be launched on the PSLV’s Orbital Experimental Module (POEM) platform. POEM is a platform in which the final stage of a PSLV rocket becomes an orbital platform to carry out experiments.
3. The demonstration will focus on testing subsystems for synthetic aperture radar (SAR), which can be used for high-resolution Earth observation.
PierSight Space:
1. PierSight Space is preparing for a mission called ‘Varuna’, which will also be flown on the PSLV POEM platform.
2. This mission will demonstrate a deployable reflectarray antenna and test SAR and aeronautical information service avionics in orbit.
HEX20:
1. HEX20 plans to launch its ‘Nila’ satellite onboard SpaceX’s Transporter 13 mission in February 2025.
2. The Nila satellite weighs 5 kg and can host multiple payloads, providing data processing services.
3. A ground station will be set up in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, to control and receive data from the satellite.
Catalyx Space:
1. Catalyx Space launched the SR-0 satellite aboard the third developmental flight of the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV).
2. The satellite completed its mission objectives and re-entered Earth’s atmosphere on November 3, 2024, after a three-month operational life.
AAKA Space Studio:
1. AAKA Space Studio launched India’s first Space Analog Mission in Leh, Ladakh, in collaboration with ISRO’s Human Spaceflight Centre, IIT Bombay, and the University of Ladakh.
2. The mission will simulate life on the Moon and Mars and will test the habitat sustainability, life-support systems, and human isolation in space.
3. One person from AAKA Space Studio will stay in the habitat in Leh for 21 days as part of the experiment.
SatSure:
1. SatSure is working with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology on a project to map over 200,000 villages in India.
2. Under the Svamvita programme, drones will be used to capture high-resolution images (3-5 cm) to map building footprints, roof types, roads, and water bodies.
3. SatSure will use its machine learning tools developed for satellite data to classify and extract the relevant features.

Space Science Updates:

India’s Full Membership in SKAO:
1. India became a full member of the Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO), an international project to build the world’s most advanced radio telescope.
2. The telescope will be located in Australia and South Africa. India will contribute cash, as well as advanced electronics and engineering for telescope components.
3. In return, India will have access to scientific data gathered by the telescope.
Aditya-L1 Mission:
1. The Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC) onboard the Aditya-L1 spacecraft made its first significant contribution to space science. Researchers from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bengaluru, used data from the coronagraph to predict a coronal mass ejection (CME) on July 16, 2024.
2. CMEs can disrupt satellites, power grids, and radio communications on Earth when they pass by the planet.
Biological Experiments on Bharatiya Antariksh Station:
1. The Departments of Space and Biotechnology have signed agreements to conduct biological experiments on India’s upcoming Bharatiya Antariksh Station (India's space station).
2. Researchers will be able to conduct biological experiments during uncrewed Gaganyaan flights, as well as onboard the Indian space station once it is operational.