Page 12 - The Indian EYE 012023

OP-ED JANUARY 20, 2023 | The Indian Eye 12

Launch of Vikram-S into

Space begins a New Era

The applicants that want to enter this sector are growing – about 68 firms want to make payloads,

30 want to make rockets and their components and 57 want to make ground stations or use space
derived data in various activities. The start-up sector is brimming in the space arena

tion and Authorization Centre (IN-
SPACe) has been set up.
The launch of Vikram -S, has
opened the doors for a new era in
space activities in the country. The
applicants that want to enter this
sector are growing – about 68 firms
want to make payloads, 30 want to
make rockets and their components
and 57 want to make ground stations
or use space derived data in various
activities
The start-up sector is brimming
in the space arena. Nearly 101 start-
SADHNA SHANKER ups in the space sector have regis-
tered since 2020.
he successful launch of the And interest is also from over-
six-meter tall, deep blue and seas with some of the world’s largest
Twhite Vikram-S rocket in No- companies looking to take advan-
vember 2022 was a milestone for the tage of India’s expertise in software
space sector in India. It was the first and data analysis, coupled with low
launch of a spacecraft entirely de- costs. To compete globally the In-
signed and built by the private sec- dian players would need to be cost
tor. The 545 kg rocket carrying three effective and build reusable rockets.
customer payloads was launched at The exciting developments in the
ISRO’s launch site at Sriharikota in space arena is a whole new chapter
Andhra Pradesh. opening for the young people of the
The start-up Skyroot that country.
launched Vikram-S, named after Since Vikram-S, ISRO has
Vikram Sarabhai, is a start up in Hy- launched 8 nano satellites built
derabad. It used 3D printing technol- by the private sector in India and
ogy to build its thrusters and carbon abroad at the end of last of month.
fibre to build its motor casing – all According to data there are
cutting-edge technology. Powered around 4,550 man-made satellites in
by a Kalam 80 engine, after launch Earth’s orbit. At least 50,000 satel-
the rocket soared to a distance of lites are expected to be launched in
89.5km from Earth within minutes. the next 10 years. The orbit and space
The public sector ISRO ensured above Earth are gradually going to
India a place as a space exploring become a crowded highway. There
nation, making it self-reliant in space are concerns about the carbon foot-
technology and built up a reputation print of space vehicles in the strato-
for low-cost space research. Howev- sphere. Space has traditionally been
er, revenues from the space econ- India’s first ever privately developed rocket ‘Vikram-S’ successfully lifted off from Satish the domain of sovereign nations;
omy were about $10 billion, only now there would be a need to relook
about 2% of the global $440 billion. Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), in Sriharikota on Friday (ANI) at the terms of engagement with the
Private sector participation in the arrival of non-sovereign players in
space sector was only as suppliers to build rockets and satellites as part ISRO is to allow use of its facilities space exploration and tourism.
ISRO. of the ‘Prarambh’ mission. Private by private companies. To regulate
In 2020, the government opened companies could not only build and coordinate the private sector Sadhna Shanker is a writer based in
up the space sector in India for pri- rockets and satellites, but launch launches and other space activities New Delhi, India.
vate companies allowing them to them also. As part of the new policy the Indian National Space Promo- Email: [email protected]

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