India should leverage expertise through Isro

The potential in space commerce across the world for India is evident from the recent strides achieved by Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro). The successful launch of 20 satellites in June 2016, brought the country's space commerce to the level of global competitors like the United States of America, Russia and China. The Polar Satellite launch Vehicle (PSlV)-C34, launched from Sriharikota, carried 727.5 kg Cartosat-2 series satellite for earth observation and 19 other co-passenger satellites. This included 13 satellites from the US, two from Canada, one each from Germany and Indonesia. It shows India has become a reliable global launching station for advanced nations like the US and Germany. The last mission was also very significant as it had two satellites developed by Indian universities. Space programmes slowly making it into the local educational institutions, is the icing on the cake. Isro established its commercial arm-Antrix Corporation limited (Antrix) in 1992. Over the years, it has boosted the commercialisation of space activities in the country. But, despite having a commercial arm, the PSlV started its first venture in 1999 by successfully launching two satellites from Germany and the Republic of Korea in its PSlV-C2/IRS-P4mission. The Mangalayan Mission of 2013 demonstrated how a country can master its Mars mission with a modest budget of just $73 million. Indeed, this was one of the least expensive Mars missions till date by any country. India has built its space research and applications with a large pool of human resources in this area. The cost-effectiveness and expertise garnered by Isro over the years will help the agency to make its Antrix a true commercial organisation. As Isro is planning to make an industrial consortium by 2020, it needs to see how it will handle global challenges, like playing a larger role in the launch pad market. In comparison to China, Russia and the US, India has the advantage of cost-competitiveness in space-related work. This can push our space commerce to a new height. But, compared to China's 20 launches per year, India has to strengthen its capacities so that it can attract larger commerce from West Asian nations, which are eager to put their satellites into the orbit. Since the early 1960s, India has been able to develop one of the strongest national space programmes in the world. A judicious mix of internal and external knowledge has been there at the core of its development. However, to exploit the global market in space, India needs to match the standard and speed of the US and China. While focussing on the business realities, India must use its Geosynchronous Satellite launch Vehicle instead of the PSlV, as the latter can take relatively small payloads. The use of GSlV can address the emerging demands from nations. With the development of the reusable launch technology by the US, India will have to come up with its own brand of cost-effective solutions to stay relevant. To make the space commerce ventures more buoyant, Isro must consider giving space to the private players in future. Undoubtedly, India has a large talent pool in space research, but the Government must come up with a comprehensive legal framework to encourage private participation in space research.