The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully launched Cartosat-3, along with 13 other small U.S. satellites recently.
This marks a major technological milestone for ISRO which gives a good reason why it should go commercial.
What is the significance of Cartosat-3?
Resolution - Cartosat-3 is capable of exceptional image resolution of nearly 25 cm on the ground.
The best global military-grade satellite images are of 10 cm resolution.
The best satellite images commercially available are of 25-30 cm resolution.
Applications - As a commercial satellite, it creates a wealth of applications. Military surveillance is the lowest hanging fruit.
The surveillance by the earlier Cartosat-2 satellite series (resolution of 65 cm) was used to plan and execute military operations such as surgical strikes across the Line of Control in 2016, etc.
For the government, such resolution can help monitor progress of road construction, coastal land-erosion, forest conservation, oceanic changes and infrastructure development.
Which is more important?
Image resolution is good to have, but is secondary to image processing technology that is used to analyse the generated images.
While satellite launches make for a good spectacle, they are meaningful only in so far as they aid commerce and generate revenue and jobs.
Indian regulations restrict access to satellite images sharper than 1 m to the government.
Other than for transponders, there is a long way to go for Indian private companies sending innovative payloads aboard ISRO launch vehicles.
What is NSIL?
ISRO recently launched a company called New Space India Limited (NSIL), a competitor to Antrix, but like it.
Antrix is the commercial arm of ISRO.
It promotes and commercially markets the products and services emanating from the Indian Space Programme.
NSIL is a wholly owned Government of India undertaking/ Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE).
It was set up to commercialise space products and satellite development deals with private entities.
The deal for the U.S. satellites launched along with Cartosat-3 was formally inked by the NSIL.
A good beginning, it should not be shackled by bureaucratic hindrances, in the manner of Antrix.
Why commercialising ISRO is a good idea?
There are host of interesting electronics aboard Cartosat-3.
This should ideally inspire ISRO to explore collaboration with the private sector in improving high-technology manufacturing.
The ISRO’s key capability still lies in developing and launching small- and medium-sized satellites.
So, it must be able to market the technology aboard Cartosat-3 globally and induce the farming out of satellite development projects to ISRO or its subsidiaries.
While ISRO’s credentials as a poster child for India’s technological abilities have been fortified, it still has a long way to go in terms of its reputation as an enabler of local business.
