SPACE, SECURITY, ENERGY
SUMMARY
A) SPACE: From Program Milestones to National Infrastructure
- Space has evolved from prestige science to national infrastructure.
- ISRO missions now serve governance, economy, and strategic autonomy.
- SpaDeX (2025) demonstrated autonomous docking capability.
- NaVIC & NVS-02 strengthened navigation sovereignty.
- NISAR mission enhances all-weather Earth observation.
- Institutional ecosystem: VSSC, URSC, SDSC-SHAR, LPSC, SAC, NRSC.
- Space now underpins disaster management, agriculture, defence, and planning.
- Space = development + sovereignty + strategic depth.
B) India’s Space Timeline: A Civilisational Arc
- 1962: INCOSPAR formation; TERLS established.
- 1975: Aryabhata – first satellite.
- Evolution of launch vehicles: SLV → ASLV → PSLV → GSLV → LVM3.
- Satellite applications: communication, remote sensing, meteorology.
- Exploration: Chandrayaan, solar missions.
- Future: Gaganyaan & space station ambitions.
- Lesson: capability builds sequentially.
- Space journey reflects governance continuity and sovereignty.
C) Planned Missions and Space Policy
- Upcoming missions: Mangalyaan-2, Shukrayaan-1, Chandrayaan-4, AstroSat-2.
- Proposal: Bharatiya Antariksha Station (2035).
- Moon mission goal by 2040.
- Policy shift: private participation enabled.
- Institutions: IN-SPACe, NSIL.
- Exploration + developmental applications.
- Space framed as infrastructure + soft power.
- Governance shift toward sustained space architecture.
D) Launch Vehicles and Crew Systems
- SSLV: responsive, low-cost small satellite launcher.
- PSLV: reliable workhorse.
- GSLV & LVM3: heavy-lift capability.
- Crew Escape System (CES) ensures human mission safety.
- Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV-TD) for cost reduction.
- Scramjet propulsion experiments.
- Launch autonomy = strategic autonomy.
- Rockets define economic & exploration capacity.
E) NISAR: Indo–US Collaboration
- Joint mission of ISRO & NASA.
- Dual-frequency SAR (L-band & S-band).
- All-weather, day-night imaging.
- Monitors land deformation, glaciers, crops.
- Disaster & climate governance tool.
- Strategic relevance for terrain monitoring.
- Represents operational Earth observation maturity.
- Civil + strategic convergence.
F) Defence Modernisation
- Focus on indigenisation (Atmanirbhar Bharat).
- Increased defence capital expenditure.
- Theatre command reforms.
- Institutions: SFC, DCA, DSA, IDS.
- Adoption of AI, robotics, hypersonics.
- Defence exports rising.
- Multi-domain warfare approach.
- Technology-driven deterrence.
G) Services and Force Structure
- Army: 7 operational commands.
- Air Force: 5 operational + functional commands.
- Navy: Western, Eastern, Southern commands.
- Coast Guard complements maritime security.
- Agnipath scheme reforms manpower.
- Rank equivalence promotes jointness.
- Structured hierarchy ensures clarity.
- Integration toward theatre commands.
H) Operation Sindoor: Multi-Domain Warfare
- Trigger: April 2025 terror attack.
- Calibrated precision response.
- Integrated Air Command & Control System (IACCS).
- Use of precision strikes & loitering munitions.
- Drone and counter-drone systems.
- Defence Communication Network (DCN).
- Satellite-based surveillance.
- Shift from platform-centric to ecosystem-centric warfare.
I) Internal Security and Policing
- Multi-vector threats: terrorism, narcotics, cybercrime.
- Police = State subject; Centre-State coordination essential.
- CAPFs: BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB, NSG, Assam Rifles.
- Cyber hygiene & digital threat mitigation.
- National Security Council system.
- SPG for PM security.
- Data security = new frontline.
- Internal security = layered governance model.
J) Nuclear Program and Deterrence
- Doctrine: No First Use (NFU).
- Credible minimum deterrence.
- Nuclear Command Authority (NCA).
- Strategic Forces Command (SFC).
- Nuclear triad (land, air, sea).
- 2008 IAEA safeguards & NSG waiver.
- Membership in MTCR, Wassenaar, Australia Group.
- Deterrence + global regime engagement.
K) Energy Sector: Reserves & Geography
- Coal reserves ~389.42 billion tonnes.
- Lignite re