GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY

Narrating how the country's space defence journey is a tale of ambition, grit, and strategy, GIRISH LINGANNA outlines India's Vision for Space Dominance

- GIRISH LINGANNA

India is reaching for the stars, not just to explore the cosmos but to protect its skies and secure its future. Once known for satellites that helped farmers predict rains or connected remote villages, India's space programme is now a key player in national defence. With military satellites, anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons, and advanced tracking systems, the country is building a stellar shield to safeguard its interests in a world where space is the new battlefield.

Driven by tensions with neighbours like China, but boosted by partnerships with global powers like the US, and fuelled by a growing private sector, India's space defence journey is both thrilling and challenging.

However, with big dreams come big hurdles—funding woes, cyber threats, and debates over militarising space. Let's dive into how India is navigating this cosmic frontier as of April 16, 2025, and what lies ahead for this rising space power.

A New Dawn for India's Space Program

India's space story began humbly in 1969 with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), focused on using space for development—think weather updates, TV broadcasts, and connecting rural areas. Satellites like Aryabhata in 1975 were early steps, but today, ISRO is a global name, with feats like Chandrayaan-3's 2023 moon landing and Aditya-L1's solar mission. These wins show India's tech muscle, but the game has changed.

Space isn't just about science anymore; it's about security. The 1999 Kargil War was a wake-up call when India couldn't access foreign satellite data, pushing it to build its own systems. Now, defence is a core focus, with ISRO and new agencies like the Defence Space Agency (DSA) leading the charge.