Context:

After a busy year in 2023, Sriharikota, India's primary spaceport, has been relatively quiet. However, this silence doesn't reflect a lull in the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) activities. Following the success of the Chandrayaan 3 mission, where the Vikram lander made a historic landing on the Moon, ISRO has continued to make remarkable strides in its space endeavours. The announcement of August 23 as India's National Space Day by Prime Minister Narendra Modi further highlights the nation's growing space ambitions.

Key Missions in the Past Year

• Aditya L1 : Launched on September 2, 2023, Aditya-L1 is India's first dedicated solar mission. After launching aboard the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), Aditya-L1 executed several maneuvers and entered orbit around the Earth-Sun Lagrange point (L1) on January 6, 2024. The spacecraft completed its first orbit around L1 on July 2, 2024. During its mission, Aditya-L1 successfully studied a solar storm in May 2024 in collaboration with ground-based observatories and lunar orbit spacecraft.
• Gaganyaan TV-D1 : On October 21, 2023, ISRO executed a critical test for its human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan, using a Test Vehicle (TV) equipped with a modified L-40 Vikas engine. This mission successfully demonstrated the Crew Escape System (CES), which separated from the Test Vehicle and ensured the safe recovery of the crew module in the Bay of Bengal. The module was later recovered by the Indian Navy's INS Shakthi, validating ISRO's crew safety systems.
• X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) : Marking the beginning of 2024, ISRO launched XPoSat on January 1, 2024. This mission aims to study the polarisation of X-ray radiation from celestial objects, making it the second such mission in space after NASA's Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IPEX). The instruments onboard XPoSat, XSPECT, and POLIX, began operations in early January, marking a milestone for India's space-based observatories.
• INSAT-3DS : On February 17, 2024, ISRO launched INSAT-3DS, a meteorological satellite, aboard a Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV). This mission was crucial for validating the GSLV before the upcoming NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission, expected to launch in 2025. The satellite contributes to India's weather monitoring capabilities, complementing other meteorological missions.
• Reusable Launch Vehicle Testing (RLV-TD) : In March and June 2024, ISRO conducted two successful landing experiments—LEX-02 and LEX-03—using a downsized version of its Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV), known as Pushpak. These tests simulated landing conditions for a space return mission by dropping Pushpak from a Chinook helicopter. The success of these tests paves the way for the Orbital Return Flight Experiment, a critical step toward reusable space launch systems.
• Small Satellite Launch Vehicle Development (SSLV) : ISRO successfully launched the third and final development flight of the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) on August 16, 2024. The mission placed the EOS-08 and SR-0 Demosat satellites into orbit, concluding the SSLV’s development phase. The vehicle has now been handed over to the industry for production, with the SSLV poised to become a key player in small satellite launches.

ISRO's Long-Term Roadmap

• Gaganyaan Mission : ISRO is focusing heavily on its human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan. With Prime Minister Modi revealing the names of the astronaut candidates—Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla, Group Captains Prashanth Nair, Ajit Krishnan, and Angad Pratap—training has begun in earnest. Mr. Shukla and Mr. Nair traveled to the U.S. for advanced training ahead of their scheduled flight to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2025. The mission is being organized in collaboration with Axiom Space, NASA, and SpaceX.

ISRO has planned at least four more abort tests for its Test Vehicle before conducting the historic crewed flight, with the first uncrewed flight expected in late 2024. The long-term roadmap also includes the development of an Indian space station, named the ‘Bharatiya Antariksh Station’ (BAS), to be operational by 2035.

• Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) : India's ambitious plans for its space station and lunar programs have necessitated the development of a Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV). The NGLV is expected to carry heavier payloads compared to ISRO's existing PSLV and GSLV rockets. The NGLV will be a three-stage rocket powered by semi-cryogenic, liquid, and cryogenic engines. ISRO is phasing out the GSLV in favor of the NGLV, with a team led by S. Sivakumar having already submitted a project report to the Union Cabinet in February 2024.
• Semi-Cryogenic Engine Development : To further boost its launch capabilities, ISRO is developing a semi-cryogenic engine for its LVM-3 (GSLV Mk III) rocket. Successful tests of the engine's pre-burner ignition were conducted in May 2024, marking a step forward in ISRO's bid to enhance its launch capabilities for upcoming missions.

NSIL and Commercial Activities

• NSIL Missions : The NewSpace India Ltd. (NSIL), ISRO's commercial arm, has taken over responsibility for mission operations and commercial ventures. On May 1, 2024, NSIL took control of all commercial activities related to Indian Remote Sensing satellite data. NSIL has also signed agreements with SpaceX to launch the GSAT-20/GSAT-N2 satellite and initiated efforts to produce the LVM-3 rocket through public-private partnerships.
• Private Sector Collaborations : Private Indian space companies are making significant progress. Agnikul Cosmos successfully launched its SoRTeD-01 vehicle powered by a semi-cryogenic engine in March 2024. Skyroot Aerospace is advancing its Vikram 1 rocket development, having already tested solid-fuel engines. Other companies, including Dhruva Space and Bellatrix Aerospace, have also made strides, with Dhruva Space securing a ground station licence from India's space regulator, IN-SPACe.
• Policy and Licensing Updates : India's space regulator, IN-SPACe, has made significant policy updates to encourage private sector involvement. In May 2024, IN-SPACe released new norms and guidelines for space activities, granted the first satellite broadband license to Eutelsat OneWeb, and issued licenses for ground station services. These updates have been accompanied by changes in the FDI policy, allowing 100% foreign direct investment in spaceflight segments, with limitations in satellite manufacturing and launch infrastructure.

Conclusion

India's space missions have continued to evolve rapidly, with ISRO making significant progress across a range of domains, from solar science to human spaceflight. With a clear long-term roadmap, ambitious goals for lunar exploration, and increasing private sector involvement, India is solidifying its position as a global player in space exploration and technology development. As the next few years unfold, ISRO's innovations and partnerships will likely shape the future of space activities in India and beyond.

Source: The Hindu