Space India 2.0

406 Pages·2017·4.38 MB·English

Space India 2.0
Commerce, Policy, Security and
Governance Perspectives
Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan
Narayan Prasad (Eds.)
ISBN: 978-81-86818-28-2
Printed by: Mohit Enterprises
© 2017 Observer Research Foundation. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be
reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without permission in writing from
ORF.
CONTENTS
Foreword vii
K Kasturirangan, former Chairman, ISRO
Introduction xi
Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan and Narayan Prasad
I Space Commerce
1. Space 2.0 India: Leapfrogging Indian Space Commerce 1
Narayan Prasad
2. Traditional Space and NewSpace Industry in India:
Current Outlook and Perspectives for the Future 11
Narayan Prasad
3. A Review of India’s Commercial Space Efforts 23
K R Sridhara Murthi
4. Exploring the Potential of Satellite Connectivity for
Digital India 37
Neha Satak, Madhukara Putty, Prasad H L Bhat
5. Unlocking the Potential of Geospatial Data 51
Arup Dasgupta
6. Developing a Space Start-up Incubator to Build a
NewSpace Ecosystem in India 71
Narayan Prasad
7. Electronic Propulsion & Launch Vehicles: Today and
Beyond – An Indian Perspective 85
Rohan M Ganapathy, Arun Radhakrishnan and
Yashas Karanam
iv
II Space Policy
8. Privatisation of Space in India and the Need for A Law 103
Kumar Abhijeet
9. SATCOM Policy: Bridging the Present and the Future 119
Ashok GV and Riddhi D’ Souza
10. A Review of India’s Geospatial Policy 141
Ranjana Kaul
11. Formation of PSLV Joint Venture: Legal Issues 151
Malay Adhikari
12. Exploring Space as an Instrument in India’s Foreign
Policy & Diplomacy 165
Vidya Sagar Reddy
III Space Security
13. India’s Strategic Space Programme: From Apprehensive
Beginner to Ardent Operator 179
Ajey Lele
14. Space Situational Awareness and Its Importance 193
Moriba Jah
15. Need for an Indian Military Space Policy 199
Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan
IV International Cooperation
16. Cooperation in Space between India and France 215
Jacques Blamont
17. India-US: New Dynamism in Old Partnership 235
Victoria Samson
18. Evolution of India-Russia Partnership 245
Vladimir Korovkin
v
19. Cooperating with Israel: Strategic Convergence 265
Deganit Paikowsky and Daniel Barok
20. An Asian Space Partnership with Japan? 275
Kazuto Suzuki
21. India and Australia: Emerging Possibilities 283
Jason Held
V Space Sustainability and Global Governance
22. Space Debris Tracking: An Indian Perspective 295
MYS Prasad
23. Astro-propriation: Investment Protections for and from
Space Mining Operations 311
Daniel A Porras
24. Sustainability, Security and Article VI of the Outer Space
Treaty 335
Charles Stotler
25. Space Security, Sustainability, and Global Governance:
India-Japan Collaboration in Outer Space 359
Yasushi Horikawa
26. India and Global Space Governance: Need for A
Pro-active Approach 371
Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan
About the Authors 383

FOREWORD
In the modern history of humankind’s forays into the field of exploration
and uses of outer space, India’s space endeavours have occupied a special
place due to the richness and the quality of their contributions. With few
rivals in sheer mystery, space continues to capture the imagination of our
younger generation, presenting an inexhaustible potential for exploration,
discovery and diverse uses that modern society demands. What has been
established with certainty through the past decades of space endeavours,
of the world in general and of India in particular, is its multidimensional
role and relevance—from international diplomacy for peace to applications
that touch the daily lives of large populations across the world.
As is true with any modern tool, space technology can serve as an
instrument in enhancing human welfare, forewarning against disasters, and
expanding the horizons of human knowledge. It can also be used to
mitigate the devastating consequences of conflicts, wars and deprivation
that threaten human survival.
Space governance has thus become a major concern for the
international community in recent decades, amidst new threats such as the
growth and evolution of terrorism. The number of stakeholders in outer
space has also increased considerably, and a key role is now being played
by private entities in an environment which is becoming congested and
heavily contested in some parts. Today, more nations are actively
participating in space activities by building and operating space systems.
Informed debates on issues relevant to space governance assume high
priority both at national and international levels.
By its fundamental nature, space inspires a global perspective, and
reveals a viewpoint that extends to a universal dimension. Indeed, space
endeavours of diverse nations have global implications. The ancient Indian
thought and traditions reflect such a broader and universal outlook, as
they explored the principles of human development and mysteries of
viii
origins, existence and destiny of the universe by dwelling deeper into human
consciousness. India’s current progress is also extending to the outer world,
addressing the quality of life of a billion-plus population. India stands at a
cusp to establish harmony of inner and outer lives; this may yet prove to
be its major contribution to global development.
A hallmark of India’s space programme has been international
cooperation. Some of the finest expressions of this paradigm can be seen
from the beginnings of the programme, such as the dedication of Thumba
Equatorial Rocket Launching Station to the United Nations and the
assistance to an international community of scientists in the study of upper-
atmospheric phenomena. Transcending ideological barriers, India’s
cooperation has also flowered into different hues, including joint space
missions, data sharing, capacity building in space applications, and policy
coordination. Of great relevance is how this can be evolved in the future
as a vibrant instrument of new advances in space activities, including human
space flight, space commerce, actions against climate change, and
international peace and security.
Over the decades, challenges of space activities have grown manifold.
This is a time when the world is seeing the emergence of NewSpace as a
revolution in space industry, with private industries leading the way in
applying the foundation elements established by space agencies as
commercial value propositions. Disruptive business models are being built
and there are distinct signs of growing potential for the overall size of the
space economy to grow multi-fold. Policy elements relevant to space
commerce and the private sector’s role in the future is extremely relevant
for the growth of India’s space endeavours.
Security applications of space, on one hand, and ensuring secure
environment using space, on the other, are no longer a matter of choice
for spacefaring states like India. Several initiatives at the international level
need to be coordinated and harmonised with India’s national interests, as
the country emerges as an economic power and seeks to strengthen its
relations with other states in an interdependent world. Examining the
various aspects of this dimension is extremely important, both to develop
holistic perspectives and to generate required capacities in India.
ix
The Observer Research Foundation’s (ORF) initiative is commendable
for creating a platform for discourse. As it involves both national and
international experts on these extremely relevant issues, this volume of
well-researched articles provides highly relevant analyses in the context of
future developments in the field of space.
Indeed, such interaction at the international level is not new to the
Indian space programme. From the outset, with Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, the
leadership of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has pursued
interaction with the finest minds in science, government, and industry.
Such fruitful interactions have generated valuable contributions not only
for India but also for the global community in terms of a vast array of
societal applications of space technology, cost-effective approaches, and
enriching collaborative endeavours such as Chandrayaan.
This book gives insights by providing a glimpse into the past, while it
connects with the present and delivers perspectives on the future dimensions
of India’s space programme. The chapters cover a broad range–
Commercial & NewSpace, Space Policy, Space Security, International
Cooperation, and Space Sustainability & Global Governance—and they
deliver educated suggestions and opinions to policymakers of the country
to review their strategies on these issues. Understanding expert opinions in
these areas shall bestow the emerging managers of the space programme
with holistic insights. This work is a unique collection of thoughts and
analyses on matters relevant to space policy and governance, a good account
of accomplishments, and thought-provoking puzzles on future possibilities.
The authors are national and international experts in different disciplines,
both veteran and young scholars, and thus will be an invaluable resource
for policymakers, academic researchers, and the public at large. This work
can also be a concrete step for continuing discourse on varied subjects or
issues of importance, which demand an interactive and evolutionary
approach to progress on policy. While there could be some differences in
the positions taken by writers with reference to the views of some
stakeholders in policymaking, the academic yet non-formal nature of the
content in this book will hopefully create enough spaces for reflecting on
a cohesive and harmonious framework of policy and its continued