By Keshav Verma
The Emerging Role of the Indian Space Sector in Space Domain Awareness Keshav Verma (Reprinted with the permission of Indian Council of World Affairs)
In recent years, the Indian space sector has made significant strides in advancing its capabilities, marking a pivotal shift in its role from a primarily satellite-launching nation to a critical player in monitoring and safeguarding activities in outer space. As the world witnesses an unprecedented growth of satellites, space debris and emerging threats, India’s strategic investments and technological advancements are poised to redefine its position in the global space community.
This viewpoint evaluates India’s advancements, contributions and implications for global space sustainability and governance.
Space Domain Awareness : Space Domain Awareness (SDA) refers to thorough knowledge and understanding of all activities that are happening in space.
This also includes tracking and monitoring of satellites and space debris, as well as various kinds of space-based systems, such as communication satellites, reconnaissance satellites and navigation satellites, among others. The significance of SDA cannot be exaggerated in an era where the use of space is expanding phenomenally and becoming more contested. At the same time, SDA helps operators distinguish between regular and abnormal activities, identify suspicious behaviour and respond appropriately. Operators can mitigate the risk of collisions, interference or other possible threats by gaining information on the capability and intent of different actors in space, thus ensuring safety, security and sustainability for operations in space. India has emerged as an important global player in space, with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) leading indigenous capabilities across several aspects of space exploration and utilisation. India’s strategic objectives in the domain of space are its robust pursuit of SDA, which entails monitoring, comprehending and managing activities within this sphere.
India’s journey towards raising its SDA capacity is grounded in the growth of advanced infrastructure and technology.
India has invested heavily in ground-based radar systems, telescopes and satellite networks, allowing the monitoring and surveillance of satellites, space junk and other objects in Earth’s orbit. These technological developments not only increase India’s capacity to keep an eye on its growing fleet of satellites but also provide insightful information to the worldwide space surveillance network.
The rise of private actors in the space sector is also increasing India’s stature in space domain awareness. Digantara, Manastu Space and OrbitAID are some Indian companies that are private-owned and focus on sustainable space practices. By means of commercial space industry growth, India is making an effort to take advantage of the know-how and resources provided by private firms to improve its capabilities in space. Consequently, this is enabling India to have a more resilient and diverse national space programme, with an emphasis on areas, such as satellite making and information analysis.
The Indian government is playing a more active role in shaping the space sector through mission-oriented policies and investments that seek to promote new developments in space technologies and capabilities. Apart from launching satellites, India is increasingly turning its attention to SDA and space debris management. As the number of active satellites in orbit rises and the danger posed by space debris increases, robust SDA capabilities are required to ensure that the long-term sustainability of space activities can be achieved. These initiatives include ISRO’s setting up of a dedicated Space Situational Awareness Control Centre (SACC), Project Netra (Network for space object Tracking and Analysis), ISRO System for Safe and Sustainable Operations Management, etc. Advances in SDA is a natural progression in the development of the Indian space sector which has a long tradition of working for economic and social benefit.
Challenges and Opportunities Ahead : The implications of India’s strides in space technology and governance are vast for global space sustainability. As the number of satellites increases, propelled by commercial and government interests, these Indian initiatives on SDA, debris mitigation and space traffic management significantly contribute to the development of international norms and guidelines on ensuring safe and sustainable use of outer space. Additionally, India’s efforts towards the utilisation of space technology for sustainable development align with global agendas such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); for example, Satellite data monitors climate change impacts, supports agricultural planning for food security (SDG 2), aids disaster management (SDG 11), and enhances healthcare and education through telemedicine and distance learning (SDG 3 and SDG 4).
Further, India’s emergence as a major player in the SDA has been marked by its proactive approach towards technological development and strategic alliances. In India, advancements in radar, optic sensors, and data analytics have significantly bolstered space surveillance capabilities. These developments enable detection, tracking, and detailed characterization of objects in space. Such advancements not only enhance national security through improved situational awareness but also position India as a global provider of SDA services.
The effective operation of global SDA efforts hinges on fostering trust and cooperation among countries with space capabilities, thereby ensuring responsible and secure activities in space. For instance, India collaborates with various space-faring nations such as the United States, Russia, France, and others through partnerships in satellite launches, technology exchanges, and joint research initiatives. At the same time, India continues to focus on the development of indigenous capabilities in research, development, and manufacturing.
International collaboration is an important aspect of India’s SDA strategy, enabling access to shared resources, expertise and data critical for space traffic management and debris mitigation efforts. By forging partnerships with international space agencies such as NASA, JAXA, ESA, DLR, etc., India contributes to establishing global standards such as — traffic management, spectrum allocation, launch safety, spacecraft design, legal frameworks, data sharing, and environmental protection to ensure safe, sustainable, and cooperative space activities internationally. India’s space sector has the potential to grow through commercialising SDA capabilities as well. To boost its competitiveness globally, diversify revenue streams and stimulate technological innovation, Indian space agencies and private companies may offer advanced SDA services to commercial satellite operators and other stakeholders.
Further, India’s SDA initiatives face significant challenges due to the intricate nature of data management, secure data exchange, and concerns regarding data sovereignty. The complexity arises from the vast amount of data generated by satellites and space debris, requiring advanced systems for accurate monitoring and prediction. Secure data exchange is crucial in SDA to protect sensitive information from unauthorized access or manipulation. For instance, recent incidents like cyber-attacks on satellite communication systems highlight the vulnerability of space-based assets to data breaches and the importance of robust cyber-security measures. On the other hand, data sovereignty, or the control over one’s data, is also a critical issue in SDA. As nations increasingly rely on space-based infrastructure for communication, navigation, and defence, ensuring that data collected by Indian satellites remains under national jurisdiction becomes imperative. This ensures that sensitive information crucial for national security is safeguarded and used according to national policies and regulations.
To overcome the challenges, a strategic combination of robust legislative frameworks and technological innovation is required. Thorough national and international regulatory frameworks for SDA operations, including licensing, liability and accountability, are essential for ensuring space sustainability. Academics, Businesses and Civil Society organisations in India must work together with the public to raise SDA’s profile and gain support for India’s evolving role in international space governance based on robust technological foundations of the Indian space sector.
India’s rise from a satellite-launching country to a major actor in space exploration and governance demonstrates its scientific and technical capability, strategic insight and dedication to global collaboration. As India’s space technological capabilities grow, its contributions to global space sustainability and governance have the potential to reshape the future of space exploration. India’s space technology breakthroughs and their implications for global sustainability provide a remarkable story of invention, collaboration and responsible stewardship.
