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India has emerged as a "key player" in a growing global commercial market for space-based surveillance and communication after it scripted history by successfully launching 104 satellites using a single rocket-PSLV C37, breaking the current record of 37 set by Russia in 2014. In the process, it also bettered its own record of sending 20 satellites in one go. Admittedly, 90 per cent of the satellites were in the micro category or less than 5 kg each. But there were complexities involved. The biggest challenge was to launch them in manner that they don’t bump into each other. The successful launch is yet another feather in the cap of India's ambitious space programme that has earned a reputation of offering a reliable low cost alternative to existing international players.
Opportunities & Challenges: Putting commercial satellites into space for a fee is a growing business sector. That's because phone, Internet and other companies, as well as countries, are seeking greater and more high-tech communications. Isro has established a solid reputation as a cheap but reliable bulk carrier of satellites to earth orbit. Demand will increase as satellite swarms and cheap personalised devices become popular, and bulk launchers like Isro can look forward to a window of opportunity. Before this mega launch, India had sent into space 79 satellites from 21 countries and its order book is bound to swell after PSLV C 37 flawless and cost-effective performance.
But the window will close when entrepreneurs like Elon Musk begin to offer reusable launch vehicles which glide back to earth. These will slash launch costs dramatically, while Isro’s own reusable vehicle Avatar remains on the drawing board. In the interim, Isro may wish to probe other revenue streams — the services and technologies which space projects always spin off — to subsidise hard science and prestige projects like Mangalyaan.
Satellite communications networks generate remote sensing and GPS data and deliver media, telecommunications and telemedicine. Besides, the design and fabrication of space vehicles can spin off products and technologies of great value in industry, like refractory materials and compounds designed to withstand the hostile environment in space, or inside a rocket engine.
Technologies and hacks are constantly developed for communications, imaging, telemetry and remote sensing which can find application in diverse industries, from mining to taxicab aggregation. Space industries are perceived to work mainly for the national interest, but the commercial possibilities are immense. Having made its mark in the launch vehicle market, Isro could consider developing new revenue streams. As space is privatised and commercialised, it will make a difference to its prospects.
The other major issue is whether the Indian satellites currently orbiting in space are value for money. An audit of non-military satellites revealed that their capacity utilisation was half and the income from the sale of imagery and data was less than the expenditure. The CBI probe into the earlier doings of its commercial arm Antrix may further affect its attempts to become more market savvy. The steady increase in its budget is appreciable when compared with the stagnant budgets of its American and Russian counterparts. But the allocation is still one-sixth of its main competitor, China. ISRO also needs additional funds to develop and launch satellites that will assist the agriculture sector. It is not enough for ISRO to rest on its laurels.
By: Dr. Vivek Rana ProfileResourcesReport error
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