Why in the News? 

After the ambitious Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) was finalized in June 2024, ISRO Chairman S. Somanath stated its launch capability exceeded demand threefold, highlighting a need for robust domestic market demand for launch vehicles.

What is the present scenario of Satellites in India?   

• India operates a diverse fleet of satellites with applications in Communications, Remote Sensing, Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT), Meteorology, Disaster Management, Space-based internet, Scientific missions, and Experimental missions.
• India currently has four main launch vehicles: the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV), the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), and the Launch Vehicle Mark-III (LVM-3), capable of launching satellites up to four tonnes to geosynchronous orbit.
• For satellites weighing more than four tonnes, India relies on foreign launch vehicles, such as Europe’s Ariane V and SpaceX’s Falcon 9, to meet its heavy payload requirements.
• India has been actively involved in significant space missions like Chandrayaan 3 (a lunar mission) and Aditya L1 (a mission to study the Sun), showcasing its growing capabilities in space exploration.

Existing Demand-Driven Model in India – Before and After       

• Before (Supply-Driven Model)

• • • The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) primarily built and launched satellites based on its assessments and planned missions without waiting for specific customer demands.
    • After launching satellites, ISRO would then look for customers who needed the services provided by the satellites, which sometimes led to underutilization or delayed utilization of satellite capabilities.
    • The space sector was heavily government-controlled, with limited involvement and investment from private players
    • There was less emphasis on educating potential customers about the benefits and applications of space-based services, leading to lower demand from various sectors.

• After 2020 (Demand-Driven Model)

• • The Space sector reforms 2019-2020 encouraged greater private sector participation, fostering innovation, competition, and commercialization in the Indian space industry.
  • Satellites are now built and launched based on confirmed customer demands, ensuring that each satellite has a predefined purpose and user base before it is sent into space.
  • The market demand for satellite services is validated and secured before the construction and launch phases, leading to better alignment of resources and higher utilization rates.

Major Three Limitations Associated at Present Time:

• Limited Launch Vehicle Capability: Currently, the Indian launch vehicles have restricted payload capacities, necessitating multiple launches for larger missions, increasing costs and complexity.
• Demand-Supply Mismatch: Transitioning from a supply-driven to a demand-driven model faces challenges, including the need to educate potential customers and create a robust private sector ecosystem.
• Economic and Technological Constraints: High costs of developing and maintaining launch vehicles and satellites, coupled with the early stages of implementing cost-effective reusable technologies, and insufficient infrastructure and investment.

Way forward: 

• Enhance Launch Vehicle Capacity: Invest in research and development to upgrade existing launch vehicles like GSLV and LVM-3 to increase payload capacity, reducing dependence on foreign launch providers.
• Strengthen Market Engagement and Education: Expand outreach programs to educate potential customers across sectors about the benefits and applications of satellite-based services.
• Promote Private Sector Participation: Facilitate a conducive regulatory environment to attract private investments and foster innovation in satellite manufacturing and launch services.

Mains PYQ: 

Q India has achieved remarkable successes in unmanned space missions including the Chandrayaan and Mars Orbiter Mission, but has not ventured into manned space missions. What are the main obstacles to launching a manned space mission, both in terms of technology and logistics? Examine critically. (UPSC IAS/2017)

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