ISRO Chairman S Somanath emphasized the need to create internal demand for satellite launches in India, stating that the current demand is not sufficient to sustain the industry. At the India Space Congress 2024, he highlighted that big companies are willing to enter the space sector, but they are concerned about the timeline for breaking even and securing orders. Somanath noted that convincing investors to invest in big state projects is a significant challenge, as they seek to know when they will break even and secure orders before investing.
To address this, Somanath emphasized the need to create more internal demand, which implies that the demand is not sufficient currently. He emphasized that the demand will come from the user side, particularly from the communication segment, which includes big satellite builders. To achieve this, ISRO plans to find orbital slots and frequencies that can be given to industry to build satellites and launchers, thereby creating internal demand. InSpace has already announced a funding plan to create a new earth observation constellation, which is another step towards creating internal demand.
The reducing cost of accessing space globally, largely due to SpaceX, can potentially boost small satellite launches and attract new participants in the space sector. However, India’s rocket costs have not seen similar reductions, making it essential to focus on reducing costs to make satellite launches more competitive. Somanath believes that India’s current rockets are insufficient for round trips to the moon and that developing rockets with higher payload capacity is crucial for bringing back samples and future human missions.
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman S Somanath (Via Chairman S Somanath/Twitter)
The ISRO chairman also touched on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for Amrit Kaal, which includes extending human space activity beyond the Gaganyaan mission, with the goal of landing on the moon by 2040. To achieve this, Somanath stressed the importance of developing rockets with higher payload capacity, as India’s current rockets are not sufficient for round trips to the moon.
Somanath’s remarks highlight the need for innovative applications of satellite technology to create internal demand in the Indian space industry. This requires reducing costs, increasing payload capacity, and creating a conducive environment for industry to participate and invest in the sector.
