Space to drive future warfare: ISRO chief

Developing technology and applications for the defence sector — a critical requirement for future warfare — is one of the key mandates of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and a roadmap has already been drawn up for this purpose.

“In future, many critical operations will be driven by the space sector. Without proper satellites and related technologies for communication, navigation and earth observation, we cannot fight anything,” ISRO Chairman Dr V Narayanan told The Tribune.

“So, one of our responsibilities is to ensure that the required satellites are available for the safety and security of every citizen, and we are working towards that,” he said. “There is a clear roadmap, but to be frank, because it involves the country’s security, I do not want to speak much about it at this point. I can only assure you that we are working in all directions, including those related to safety and security,” he added.

“Right now, we have 57 satellites in space, and we plan to increase this number threefold. A lot of new technology is being developed, including AI-based systems, new propulsion technologies, new inertial systems and new payloads,” Dr Narayanan said.

The ISRO Chief added that the agency currently operates 50 space applications across earth observation, satellite communication, navigation, disaster warning and mitigation, and weather forecasting — all contributing to the safety and security of the common man.

“During Operation Sindoor, conducted recently, the satellites performed perfectly. A great deal of technological development has taken place in launch vehicles, satellites, applications and other major scientific missions,” he said.

“When we started our space programme, the resolution of our cameras used to be 1 km. Today, we have cameras with a 28-cm resolution, and numerous technological advancements are underway, including in electric and nuclear propulsion,” he said.