India’s Cost-Effective Space Missions: Former ISRO Chief S. Somanath Highlights Efficiency and Private Sector Role

Ahmedabad: Former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman S. Somanath has underscored the remarkable cost-effectiveness of India’s space programs, emphasizing that the country incurs significantly lower expenses compared to the United States for equivalent satellite missions. Speaking at an interactive session at the Ahmedabad Management Association (AMA) titled "India Tomorrow: Unlocking Industry, Innovation, Talent," Somanath referred to the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission as an example of this efficiency.

The NISAR mission, a collaborative effort between NASA and ISRO, aims to map the entire globe and generate crucial data for studying Earth's ecosystems, ice mass, vegetation biomass, sea-level rise, groundwater fluctuations, and natural hazards. Highlighting India’s frugal yet effective approach, Somanath stated that the same satellite and share of work cost five times more in the US compared to India.

Cost Efficiency and Innovation in Indian Space Missions

Somanath elaborated on ISRO’s strategic emphasis on cost reduction. Key factors contributing to India’s lower expenditure include a reliance on simulation over excessive hardware testing, extensive reuse of components, and strong support from India's manufacturing sector. He noted that while materials such as aluminum and electronic components are often imported, India optimizes costs through efficient project management and innovation.

“While the raw materials like aluminum, steel, and electronic parts may not be cheaper in India compared to the US or Europe, the real efficiency lies in our approach—maximizing available components, minimizing unnecessary expenditures, and streamlining production,” he explained.

Somanath, who led ISRO during the successful launch of Chandrayaan-3 in 2023, highlighted India’s emphasis on affordability while maintaining quality. He pointed out that ISRO’s internal training prioritizes frugality, ensuring that costs are kept under control through strategic managerial interventions.

Expanding India’s Role in the Global Space Economy

Despite India's status as a leading space power, Somanath stressed that the country’s overall investment in the sector remains modest. He called for a significant increase in private sector participation to boost India’s share in the global space economy from the current 2% to 10%.

“In the past, space exploration was seen as an exclusive, government-controlled domain. However, this perception has shifted in the last two years, with the government actively encouraging private industry involvement. This transition is crucial for scaling up India’s space capabilities,” Somanath noted.

He further advocated for greater government investment in areas that private players might find financially challenging, such as space exploration and space station development. Over time, he envisions public sector technological advancements transferring to private enterprises, fostering a more dynamic and competitive industry.

“This transition must take place within the next five years to achieve our ambitious goal of increasing India’s contribution to the global space economy,” he concluded, emphasizing the urgent need for policy-driven initiatives to accelerate growth in the sector.

Somanath’s insights underline India's potential to emerge as a dominant force in the space industry, provided there is increased collaboration between the government and private enterprises.