SpaceX Marks A Spot That Isro Has Its Sights On

In the aspirational reusable rocket world, US’s SpaceX has completed a ‘Catch’ while India and Isro have ‘catching up’ to do — India’s own partially reusable rocket will take at least a decade. But with govt approval last month for four vital missions and a huge hike in spend, India is certainly on its way.In any case, SpaceX and Isro are as apart as apples and oranges given the variables at work: Their respective ethos and funding and the overall aerospace ecosystem in US vis-à-vis India.And the country is removing the drags, with its space programme blasting off into a new era of exploration fuelled by innovation and unprecedented financial commitment. At ₹31,773cr — including the initial ₹9,023cr budget for Gaganyaan — the total expenses provisioned for the four big missions that Cabinet cleared on Sep 18, equal Isro’s annual budgets for the past three years put together.Launch vehicles in pipeline | Among the big-ticket projects is the partially reusable Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV), whose design phase is nearing completion, with the first hardware components already manufactured. A critical milestone was achieved with the successful firing of the pre-ignitor for the new engine last month. Isro is now focusing on manufacturing and industry collaboration to bring this project to fruition.It’s exploring cutting-edge manufacturing techniques, even as discussions are underway with aerospace manufacturers such as HAL and Godrej. NGLV will require a significant increase in engine production capacity. India must ramp up production from the current 2.5 engines/yr to 25/yr, to meet the demand of 13 engines per flight.Isro’s also working on RLV (reusable launch vehicle), a flying test bed for technologies like hypersonic flight, autonomous landing, and powered cruise flight. RLV has entered a critical stage after completion of three landing experiments and is gearing up for orbital re-entry demonstration. The aim is to make it the first stage of India’s reusable two-stage orbital launch vehicle.Long-term vision | Approvals for NGLV, Chandrayaan-4, Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM) and Bhartiya Antriksh Station (BAS) demonstrate govt commitment to a comprehensive space programme. Each mission addresses a unique aspect of space exploration — lunar research to planetary science, launch capabilities, and human spaceflight.This comes at a time top spacefaring nations are moving towards long-duration human space missions and further lunar exploration while simultaneously betting on planetary missions. India, now, will be no different.But it’d be wrong to view this as being just about planting flags. This is about pioneering breakthroughs that’ll revolutionise tech and supercharge the economy. The missions underscore the sector’s strategic importance and returns will accrue not just in terms of scientific knowledge and tech advancements, but also in economic and geopolitical terms.Development and execution of these missions will stimulate India’s high-tech industries, creating job opportunities in aerospace engineering, materials science, robotics, etc. Spillover effects into other sectors could lead to innovations in areas like telecommunications, remote sensing, and climate monitoring.Geopolitics & GenNext | These missions will also enhance India’s soft power and could lead to increased international collaboration in space research and exploration. Moreover, development of advanced space technologies has strategic implications, potentially bolstering defence capabilities and national security.These projects could also inspire young Indians to pursue STEM careers and spark a renewed interest in space exploration, fostering a culture of innovation and scientific inquiry.Challenges & considerations | While the approvals of these missions are undoubtedly a cause for celebration, it’s important to acknowledge the challenges that lie ahead. First, the tight timelines: Chandrayaan-4, part of India’s broader vision to achieve a lunar landing by 2040, is expected to be completed within 36 months, while VOM is slated for a March 2028 launch, the same year the first module of the space station needs to go up, and Isro has only eight years to operationalise NGLV.The technical complexities involved in each of these are immense, and success is far from guaranteed. Isro will need to push boundaries and possibly seek international cooperation to overcome some of these hurdles.In what’s cause for optimism, Isro has already showcased crucial capabilities — however limited — for a sample return mission with Chandrayaan-3. And it’s likely to test another essential technology, the Space Docking Experiment (Spadex), vital not only for sample returns but also for establishing a space station and facilitating future human missions.Achieving a fully operational space station will require a larger and more advanced NGLV, calling for Isro to master several key technologies, including critical reusability.Gaganyaan and a successful space station will necessitate various critical technologies, including in-space servicing, refuelling, and environmental control and life support systems (ECLSS) for astronauts. Mastering docking and berthing technologies will facilitate some of these advancements, while others will stem from the Gaganyaan. With Isro’s finances in order, it will all boil down to application.