India in Space: A Strategic Overview

Abstract

India could be said to have begun its space program during early 1960s by undertaking launching of sounding rockets. A structured approach towards evolving the space agenda for the nation could be said to have begun with the establishment of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on August 15, 1969. The prime objective of ISRO is to develop space technologies to cater for various societal needs. Subsequently, the Department of Space (DOS) and the Space Commission were set up in 1972 which oversee planning and implementation of India space agenda. India launched its first satellite during 1975 and earned the space-faring nation status during 1980. Over the years ISRO’s program has matured significantly and at present Indian space program is regarded as one of the important space programs in the world. From launching small satellites to undertaking a successful mission to Moon and Mars, India has excelled in almost all areas of space experimentations. India is also proposing to undertake its first human space mission by 2022. India is a nuclear weapon state and has made significant investments towards establishing its military architecture owing to its strategic needs. Space technologies are finding increasing relevance towards strengthening this architecture, essentially as a force multiplier. This chapter analyzes various significant aspects of India’s space program.