Militarizationof space, characterized by the deployment and development of weaponry and military technology beyond Earth’s atmosphere, represents a significant evolution in humanity’s interaction with the cosmos. Originating in the mid-20th Century, during the early days of space exploration, such nations as the United States and the Soviet Union recognized the military potential of space and utilized it as a platform to showcase ballistic missile technology and other military applications. While space exploration initially emphasized peaceful endeavours, such as communication, navigation, and scientific research, the strategic importance of space-based assets has spurred the development of military capabilities designed for outer space operations.
The Evolution of Space Militarization
During the Cold War, the Soviet Union and the United States, the two dominant superpowers, allocated significant portions of their GDP towards military technology development. The competition to achieve space milestones spurred the space race, with the USSR launching the first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, in 1957.
Throughout the 1960s, both nations routinely deployed satellites, particularly for reconnaissance purposes, capturing detailed images of each other’s military installations. This heightened resolution and accuracy raised concerns on both sides of the Cold War divide, leading to the development of anti-satellite weapons aimed at blinding or destroying enemy satellites. Various technologies, including directed-energy weapons, kamikaze-style satellites and orbital nuclear explosives, were explored with varying degrees of success.
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India's space economy set to soar
India's burgeoning space economy could see a substantial increase in its global share by 2040. At present, India's space sector contributes a modest $8 billion to the overall cake. However, the government has set its sights on an ambitious target, aiming for a five-fold surge in India's share of the global space economy.
CRITICAL NEED TO BOOST CONVENTIONAL SUBMARINE FLEET
VENUGOPAL MENON explains why India cannot afford to view the critical deficiency in Submarine force levels lightly
BEEFING UP OUR SUBMARINE FLEET
In the last week of March, the Indian Navy displayed its submarine prowess. Eight of its submarines operated together in the Western Indian Ocean Region, a first in three decades, and one of its Scorpene submarines sailed to the Andaman Nicobar Islands, overlooking the Malacca Strait, a critical choke point for China. But how is the comparison with China? RITU SHARMA reports
ENHANCING CRUISE MISSILE CAPABILITY
India’s cruise missile capability has largely evolved as a credible conventional level deterrence since the turn of the new millennium. But much more needs to be done, writes AMARTYA SINHA
BOOSTING DEFENCE EXPORTS
Earlier, India was known to be an arms importer. But today, the country has come out of its comfort zone and found a place in the list of top-25 arms exporter nations argues AMARTYA SINHA
ENHANCING INDIA'S AIRBORNE SURVEILLANCE CAPABILITIES
Project NETRA represents a proactive initiative by ISRO to safeguard India's interests in space by mitigating the risks posed by space debris and other hazards, says GIRISH LINGANNA
THE HIMALAYAN TRIANGLE: WHY INDIA KEEPS BHUTAN SAFE FROM CHINA
India, given its special relationship with Bhutan, has been very wary about the possibility of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the signing of a boundary agreement between Bhutan and China, writes SIMRAN SODHI
TROOST, DESAI AND SANCTIONS
The Western sanctions against companies and individuals doing business with Russia have produced a complex set of reactions with lobbyists and shell companies working overtime to beat the rap. A GEOPOLITICS Bureau report
THE KOREA-GATE
India attaches great importance to “three principles of inclusiveness, trust and reciprocity’” for creating the basis for working more closely with like-minded partners in the Indo-Pacific such as the Republic of Korea (ROK), better known as South Korea for “a free, peaceful and prosperous region”. Prakash Nanda dissects the relationship and the way ahead
Pushpak RLV-TD successfully lands autonomously
ISRO achieved another significant milestone in reusable launch vehicle (RLV) technology with the successful landing of Pushpak (RLV-TD), the winged vehicle, autonomously on the runway.
