In the age of unprecedented space competition, countries are no longer racing to the Moon—they’re vying for dominance in Earth’s orbit. Sophisticated satellites have become the new arsenal, with everything from military operations to climate forecasting and disaster management now relying on real-time data from above. The more satellites a nation operates, the better positioned it is in the geopolitical chessboard of the 21st century.
India, despite its rising profile in global space exploration, finds itself in a challenging position. Though missions like Chandrayaan-3 and the upcoming Gaganyaan have earned the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) global admiration, India still lags significantly behind countries like the United States, China, and the European Union when it comes to satellite launches.
While the United States averages more than 50 satellite launches each year and currently operates nearly 5,000 active satellites, India’s active fleet stands at just 54. ISRO, by comparison, averages only four to six launches annually.
This discrepancy is not just about numbers—it speaks to a nation’s ability to assert itself in matters of national security, disaster resilience, and strategic autonomy. ISRO’s newly appointed chairperson, V. Narayanan, has acknowledged the need for growth, stating the agency aims to double the number of Indian satellites in space within the next three to four years.
A New Buzz at Sriharikota
The Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota has been witnessing a notable uptick in activity. Once a sleepy facility that came to life only once or twice a year, it now sees frequent media coverage and public engagement during launches. In 2024, ISRO executed 15 missions, but only nine were launch operations, and just five of those involved Indian satellites.
By contrast, the United States set a record with 154 orbital launches in 2023. China is also intensifying its presence in space with 68 launches in 2024 alone.
Industry voices say India must now focus on simplifying its satellite launch processes and ramping up marketing efforts to attract more international and domestic payload customers. Srimathy Kesan, CEO of Space Kidz India, highlights how private companies often prefer launching with SpaceX due to its streamlined processes and lower costs.
“In India, booking a satellite launch involves a lengthy procedure through IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre), whereas with SpaceX, it’s as simple as filling a form,” said Kesan.
Once companies secure approval from IN-SPACe, they often wait over a year for the launch. SpaceX, by comparison, delivers within six to twelve months. This efficiency gap, experts argue, is a critical area India must address if it hopes to compete globally.
From State-Controlled to Private-Led
ISRO plans to follow the NASA model by focusing on deep space exploration and allowing private players to take over commercial launch services. With policy reforms encouraging private sector involvement, Indian startups and space tech firms are beginning to emerge, although they still face regulatory bottlenecks.
A senior ISRO official confirmed that the transition is underway. “As private companies grow their capabilities, we expect a significant increase in commercial and strategic launches,” he said.
Learning from the Past, Preparing for the Future
India’s drive to build its own Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), NavIC, was born from a moment of geopolitical vulnerability. During the 1999 Kargil War, the U.S. denied India access to its GPS network, prompting ISRO to develop an indigenous solution.
Though NavIC currently operates regionally with seven satellites, expansion plans are underway. A setback occurred earlier this year when thruster malfunctioning affected the second installment of satellites, but ISRO remains optimistic.
Beyond navigation, India is planning a major boost in space-based intelligence. The government has greenlit the launch of 52 Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) satellites over the next five years under the Space Based Surveillance (SBS) programme. The project, with a sanctioned budget of ₹27,000 crore, is expected to enhance India’s monitoring over land and sea significantly.
Technological Strides Amid Criticism
India has also made breakthroughs in electric propulsion technology for satellites, which could replace older chemical-based systems and significantly improve payload efficiency. A successful 1,000-hour test on its Stationary Plasma Thruster marks a step toward more sustainable space operations.
Yet, some critics argue that flagship missions like Gaganyaan, India’s first crewed spaceflight, have diverted attention and resources from critical infrastructure projects such as launcher development and satellite deployment. Others, however, see these missions as vital milestones that bolster India’s space credentials on the world stage.
Former ISRO Chair S. Somanath maintains that comparisons with agencies like NASA are premature and that ISRO is progressing at a pace suitable for its ecosystem. “No space agency became world-class overnight. India has shown tremendous growth, and the next decade will be transformative,” he said.
Changing Global Perceptions
Back in 2014, a controversial New York Times cartoon mocked India’s Mars mission, depicting it as an unlikely entrant into the elite space club. A decade later, with successful missions to the Moon and the Sun, and plans for its own space station—the Bharatiya Antariksh Station—India is no longer knocking on the door. It’s walking through it.
With collaborations like NASA-ISRO’s NISAR satellite and the upcoming Gaganyaan mission, India’s space programme is positioning itself as a serious contender in the space race.
While challenges persist—ranging from regulatory delays to infrastructure constraints—the trajectory is clear: India is charting a course not just to catch up, but to lead.
