India’s Space Leap: Satellites, Security & Global Ties
India’s space programme has always strived to merge science with service. With a legacy built on self-reliance and innovation, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) continues to carve a unique identity in the global space community. From communication to climate monitoring, its satellites have served a diverse range of applications. But today, ISRO’s focus is expanding further, as India confronts new security challenges and aspires to amplify its presence in space. The recent statements by ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan in Chennai shed light on the road ahead—one marked by a surge in satellite launches, major missions, and strategic cooperation.
Addressing Emerging Needs Across Vast Borders And Coastlines
India presently operates 55 satellites in various orbits. These platforms perform critical functions such as weather tracking, disaster management, environmental observation, telecommunication, navigation, and strategic reconnaissance. While this number may appear adequate, it falls short of meeting the demands of monitoring a country as geographically complex and sensitive as India.
With over 7,500 kilometers of coastline and nearly 15,000 kilometers of land borders, India faces a continuous task of border surveillance, maritime awareness, and territorial monitoring. These demands have grown even more urgent in the backdrop of emerging threats, such as the recent terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam region, which claimed 26 lives. Responding to a question on what ISRO can do in light of such incidents, Dr. Narayanan emphasized that the solution lies in deploying a larger satellite network for persistent observation and monitoring.
He announced that India is now aiming to launch 100 to 150 satellites in the near future, an ambitious move that reflects the growing intersection between national security and space technology. These satellites will empower India with real-time awareness across air, land, and sea—creating a digital shield powered by space.
A New Generation Of Observation With EOS-09 Satellite Launch
May 2025 marks the beginning of this ambitious phase with the upcoming PSLV-C61 mission, which will carry the Earth Observation Satellite EOS-09. This satellite is expected to deliver transformative capabilities through its C-band synthetic aperture radar, a technology that allows high-resolution imaging under all weather conditions—whether it’s day or night.
EOS-09 will not merely be a weather satellite. It will be a tool for governments and agencies to track floods, landslides, coastal erosion, glacial shifts, and potential infiltration activities across sensitive zones. Satellites like EOS-09 will play a role that transcends traditional science and enters the realm of public safety and national preparedness.
This mission also continues India’s tradition of using the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), which has earned global recognition for its cost-effectiveness and reliability. The PSLV has served as a dependable launch platform for more than two decades and remains one of ISRO’s finest achievements in terms of engineering excellence.
Heavy-Lift Ambitions Continue With India’s Powerful Rocket LVM3
Alongside lighter rockets like PSLV, India is also looking to strengthen its heavy-lift launch capabilities. The LVM3 (Launch Vehicle Mark-3), previously known as GSLV Mk3, is India’s most powerful rocket and a vital element of the country’s future missions.
Dr. Narayanan confirmed that the LVM3 is being prepared for its next commercial launch from Sriharikota, India’s primary spaceport. This mission will mark the rocket’s third commercial outing and will carry a nearly four-ton satellite for an American client, signifying growing international trust in India’s launch capabilities.
While the ISRO chief did not name the client during the Chennai event, the identity of the satellite has since been confirmed. The satellite is part of the BlueBird Block-2 series and belongs to AST SpaceMobile, a private American firm working on space-based mobile broadband. It will be launched under an agreement with NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), which handles ISRO’s commercial engagements. This collaboration highlights how India’s space technology is becoming a global resource, open to clients from around the world regardless of origin or politics.
NISAR: A Major Indo-US Collaborative Milestone Set For Launch
Another important space collaboration between India and the United States is also nearing its launch phase. The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite is expected to be deployed using India’s GSLV Mk2 rocket. This mission represents one of the most significant joint ventures in space science, combining American and Indian expertise to study Earth’s ecosystems, ice mass, natural hazards, and climate change with unprecedented accuracy.
NISAR will provide data on land surface changes and offer key insights into soil moisture, agricultural productivity, and changes in Earth’s crust—benefiting a wide range of researchers, policymakers, and disaster management authorities.
This collaboration is an example of how science transcends borders. In a time when nations often compete in space, projects like NISAR prove that cooperative missions can lead to shared global benefits.
Vision 2035: India’s Own Space Station To Join Orbital League
ISRO’s roadmap does not stop at Earth observation or commercial launches. One of the most visionary projects on the horizon is the proposed Bharatiya Antariksh Station—a modular, Indian-made space station that will orbit Earth and serve as a platform for scientific experiments and long-duration missions.
Dr. Narayanan shared that this 52-tonne laboratory will consist of five modules and provide India with independent human spaceflight capabilities. Once established, it will join a very short list of space stations in operation today: China’s Tiangong and the multinational International Space Station (ISS).
With the ISS expected to wind down operations in the coming decade, India’s space station will play a vital role in ensuring humanity continues to have a permanent presence in low-Earth orbit. It also lays the groundwork for deeper space missions, perhaps including lunar bases and interplanetary exploration.
Strengthening Scientific Infrastructure For Global Partnerships
Beyond rockets and satellites, India’s space ambitions are being powered by technological innovation at home. The Chennai event that featured Dr. Narayanan also saw the launch of an AI-powered robotic compatible O-ARM, a medical imaging device that combines artificial intelligence with precision diagnostics. While not directly connected to ISRO, the presence of India’s top space scientist at this launch speaks volumes about the interconnected growth of science, medicine, and technology across sectors.
India’s growing space capacity offers opportunities not just for national progress but also for international partnerships. Whether it’s launching satellites for global clients or building data-sharing platforms for climate resilience, India is well on its way to becoming a collaborative superpower in space.
Towards An Inclusive Space Future Beyond National Boundaries
It is worth noting that ISRO’s rise has always been based on peaceful, civilian applications of space. From providing television access to remote villages in the 1980s to helping farmers manage crops through satellite-guided advisories, its legacy is rooted in inclusive development.
Even as national security applications increase, India’s space policies remain balanced. They avoid militarization while ensuring safety, sovereignty, and self-reliance. This approach has earned India global respect and positioned ISRO as a trusted, responsible actor in outer space.
Moreover, the use of satellites for disaster management and sustainable development goals aligns with international frameworks. These shared goals form the bridge that allows countries to collaborate across borders and make space an asset for everyone on Earth.
India’s Space Expansion Aims For Inclusive Progress
India’s plan to launch 100 to 150 satellites is not just a technical mission—it’s a reflection of national priorities in a changing world. At a time when space is becoming more crowded and more competitive, ISRO is choosing to expand with caution, competence, and clarity. The upcoming missions, whether it’s EOS-09 for Earth imaging, LVM3 for commercial payloads, or the NISAR collaboration, are all part of a much broader vision.
That vision is now expanding into orbit with the idea of an Indian space station and deeper engagement with both global partners and domestic industries. It reflects a belief in space as a tool of transformation—of landscapes, economies, and futures.
As ISRO prepares for a new era of satellite launches, India is not just reaching for the stars—it is building a secure, connected, and inclusive future, one mission at a time.
