India's Ambitious Space Programme Goals

Table of Contents

India’s space programme aims to secure strategic autonomy in space access by developing powerful and reusable rockets like ISRO’s Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV).

ISRO’s Road Map for the Next Two Decades

Gaganyaan Mission: First Indian human-spaceflight mission, demonstrating India’s human-spaceflight capability.
Space Station by 2030s: India aims to establish its own space station in Earth’s orbit.
Human-Spaceflight to the Moon: Long-term goal to expand human-spaceflight capabilities to lunar missions.
Development Of NGLV:
- Features and Capabilities:
  - Heavy Lift Capability: NGLV will triple the payload capacity of the current LVM3 (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mk III).
  - Reusability: Unlike current expendable rockets, parts of the NGLV will be reusable, offering significant cost savings.
- Benefits:
  - Reduces the need for miniaturization or weight restrictions.
  - Expands possibilities for space missions.
- Comparison with Current Rockets:
  - LVM3: India’s most powerful rocket but expendable and limited to 4,000 kg payload to Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO).
  - SpaceX’s Falcon 9:
    - Reusable version carries 5,500 kg to GTO.
    - Expendable version carries 8,300 kg to GTO.
  - SpaceX’s Starship: Reusable rocket capable of lifting 21,000 kg to GTO and 100,000 kg to Low Earth Orbit.

Why is there an Urgent Need of Heavy Lift Capability Rockets?

Upcoming Space Missions Require Larger Payloads: Missions like Chandrayaan-3 and future human lunar missions require rockets that can carry heavier modules and equipment.
- g., India’s next uncrewed lunar mission will need two LVM3 rockets to launch modules that are then assembled in space. A single heavy-lift rocket could simplify this process.
Global Competition and Technological Advancement: Competitors like SpaceX have developed rockets capable of lifting significantly heavier payloads (e.g., 21,000 kg to Geostationary Transfer Orbit by Starship).
- To remain competitive and achieve strategic autonomy, India needs comparable heavy-lift capabilities.
Dependence on Foreign Launch Providers: The LVM3 can lift a maximum of 4,000 kg to the Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO), which restricts mission capabilities.
- g., Recent launches of ISRO satellites like GSAT-N2 had to rely on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 due to payload limitations.

Where India Lags in Space Programs

Heavy Lift and Reusable Rocket Technology: ISRO’s most powerful rocket, the LVM3, can lift only 4,000 kg to the Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO).
- Reusability is still in the developmental phase, whereas global competitors like SpaceX have already operationalized reusable rockets such as Falcon 9 and Starship.
Private Sector Involvement: India’s private space sector is in its nascent stages compared to the U.S., where companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin lead innovation.
- Limited opportunities for Indian startups to develop and launch heavy-lift rockets.
Space Infrastructure and Investment: Insufficient investment in spaceports and ground infrastructure for frequent and diverse launches.
- Limited testing facilities for advanced propulsion systems and human-spaceflight technologies.

What Can Be Done to Improve India’s Space Programs

Accelerate Development of Reusable Rockets: Prioritize the development of ISRO’s Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV).
- Fund private-sector initiatives to develop reusable heavy-lift rockets.
- Collaborate with foreign partners to fast-track the development of reusability technologies.
Boost Private Sector Participation: Implement a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model to incentivize private space companies.
- Provide milestone-based funding for private firms to develop launch vehicles, satellites, and space technologies.
- Facilitate collaboration between Indian startups and global space firms for technology transfer.
Increase Global Market Share: Develop cost-competitive, reusable rockets to attract commercial launches.