Need to create more internal demand for satellite launch market: ISRO chairperson S Somanath

Not enough internal demand for satellite launch market in India yet: ISRO chairman

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairperson S Somanath on June 26 pointed out that there is not enough domestic demand for the satellite launch market. However, he assured that it can be boosted by increasing work on application side of satellite technology.

Applications of satellite technology refer to the various uses and benefits derived from satellites orbiting the Earth such as satellite communciation, earth observation and so on.

Somanath who was addressing the media on the sidelines of the India Space Congress 2024, said, "I mentioned that we need to create more internal demand. That also implies that internal demand is not enough.

So all of us are working towards that space to create an internal demand."

"There is so much more possibility in the area of (satellite)applications. Suppose you create new applications. It will create new possibilities," Somanath said while referring to startups like GalaxEye who are working on building a multisensor imaging satellite for earth observation purposes.

Somanath also talked about how big companies are willing to enter the space sector, but how they are concerned about the timeline for breaking even and securing orders.

"When I talk to some those industries who are willing to come and set up facilities and do this as a capital intensive work, they are all very ready for doing it, but they are asking, when I am going to breakeven? It is the bigger challenge of convincing investors to come in a big way," Somanath added.

Somanath mentioned that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for Amrit Kaal includes extending human space activity beyond the Gaganyaan mission, with the goal of landing on the moon by 2040.

However, the ISRO chairman mentioned that India's current rockets are not sufficient for round trips to the moon. He emphasized the need to develop rockets with higher payload capacities to facilitate both sample return missions and future human expeditions.

"Although the GSLV MKIII (LVM3) is our largest rocket, it is still inadequate. It has just enough capability to reach the moon but cannot make a return journey. We need to enhance our capabilities to bring samples back from the moon and eventually send humans there and return them safely," he stated.