Indian Space Vision 2025 | Science & Technology for UPSC CSE PDF Download

Self-sufficiency, indigenisation, exclusive satellites, and our own GSLVs form the cornerstone of India’s space programme strategy, driving advancements in technology and global competitiveness.

Space Vision 2047

• The Space Vision 2025, unveiled at the Indian Science Congress in Bangalore in 2003, laid the foundation for India’s ambitious space goals.
• This vision has evolved into Space Vision 2047, reflecting India’s aspirations to become a global space leader by 2047.
• The updated vision emphasizes self-reliance in launch capabilities, ending dependence on foreign agencies, and achieving full indigenous satellite fabrication.
• Key objectives include establishing the Bharatiya Antariksha Station by 2035, landing an Indian astronaut on the Moon by 2040, and advancing lunar exploration through missions like Chandrayaan-4, planned for 2027-2028.

PSLV Modified

• The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) was modified and successfully flight-tested in September 2002, launching METSAT, an exclusive meteorological satellite, into a geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO). 
•  This marked PSLV-C4’s first mission to place a satellite weighing over 1,200 kg into GTO, expanding its capability beyond its original design for launching 900 kg Indian Remote Sensing Satellites (IRS) into a 900 km Sun Synchronous Orbit. 
•  By 2025, PSLV variants like PSLV-XL have launched advanced missions, including the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) in January 2025, showcasing its continued reliability. 

METSAT

• METSAT, renamed Kalpana-1, was India’s first exclusive meteorological satellite, launched by ISRO in 2002.
• It served as a precursor to advanced INSAT systems, enabling separate satellites for meteorology, telecommunications, and broadcasting.
• This separation has allowed INSAT satellites, such as INSAT-3DS (launched 2024), to incorporate larger transponder capacities and enhanced power without meteorological instrument constraints, supporting weather forecasting and disaster management.

GSLV-Successful Test Flights

• The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) has achieved multiple successful flights, including the landmark GSLV-F15 mission in January 2025, which launched the NVS-02 navigation satellite, marking ISRO’s 100th rocket launch. 
•  This mission strengthened India’s satellite navigation system, enhancing regional positioning and timing services critical for various sectors. 

PSLV Commercialisation

•  India’s PSLV (C-3) marked its entry into commercial space technology in October 2001, successfully placing India’s TES, Belgium’s PROBA, and Germany’s BIRD satellites into polar orbit. 
•  This milestone paved the way for India’s growing commercial launch capabilities. 
•  In 2025, PSLV continued its commercial success with missions like the launch of AST SpaceMobile satellites in March, reinforcing India’s position in the global space market. 

INSAT-3A/3B/3C/3E in Orbit

• The INSAT series has been succeeded by the GSAT series, with GSAT-30 launched in 2020 to provide advanced telecommunication services.
• In November 2024, GSAT-20 was launched via SpaceX’s Falcon 9, marking India’s first collaboration with SpaceX and delivering high-throughput Ka-band connectivity for broadband and in-flight services.

IRS

• The Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellite system, including IRS-1C, IRS-1D, IRS-P3, and IRS-P4, remains one of the largest globally.
• It provides critical data for:
  • Agricultural crop forecasting
  • Water resource management
  • Forest surveys
  • Wasteland mapping
  • Fisheries
  • Urban planning
  • Environmental monitoring
• Recent additions like EOS-01 (2020) and the upcoming NASA-ISRO NISAR mission (June 2025) enhance India’s Earth observation capabilities.

PSLV-C-5 Launches IRS-P6

• In October 2003, PSLV-C5 successfully launched the Indian Remote Sensing Satellite IRS-P6, also known as Resourcesat-1, weighing over 1,360 kg.
• This was the first instance of PSLV placing a satellite exceeding 1,300 kg into orbit, demonstrating its enhanced payload capacity for remote sensing applications.

Advanced IRS

• India is actively developing advanced remote sensing satellites with cutting-edge features to support land and water resource management, large-scale mapping, and ocean and meteorological services.
• Notable advancements include Cartosat-3 (2019), offering high-resolution imaging for urban planning and infrastructure development.
• The upcoming NISAR mission for Earth observation.

Indigenous Cryogenic Engine

• The indigenous cryogenic engine became operational in 2014, positioning India as the sixth nation with full launch capabilities.
• By 2025, ISRO has advanced this technology with the CE20 engine for the LVM3, supporting heavier payloads and human spaceflight missions like Gaganyaan.

Telemedicine

• Telemedicine, leveraging satellite communication, has transformed healthcare access in remote areas.
• Initially launched with five VSAT terminals in Chamarajanagar, Kenchanaballi, Bangalore, Kolkata, Tripura, and Port Blair, the network has expanded significantly.
• By 2025, ISRO’s telemedicine program connects over 384 hospitals, linking 60 specialty hospitals with 306 remote facilities and 18 mobile units, delivering expert consultations to underserved regions.

EDUSAT

• Launched in 2004, EDUSAT, India’s first dedicated educational satellite, was designed to enhance literacy through formal and non-formal education.
• Contrary to earlier plans for a 2007-08 launch, EDUSAT has been operational since 2004, supporting distance learning.
• Current initiatives, like the Indian Institute of Remote Sensing’s outreach programs, use satellite technology to deliver courses on remote sensing and GIS to educational institutions nationwide.

MEGHA-TROPIQUES

• Megha-Tropiques, a joint mission between ISRO and France’s CNES, studied the tropical atmosphere and climate.
• Launched by PSLV-C18 on October 12, 2011, it operated for over a decade, far exceeding its three-year mission plan.
• The mission ended in April 2022 due to attitude control issues, and the satellite was deorbited on March 7, 2023, marking a successful conclusion.

Artificial Limb

• The Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre developed a lightweight, durable polyurethane foot, surpassing the traditional Jaipur leg.
•  Extensively tested at the Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, it incorporates amputee feedback for improvements.
• In 2022, ISRO introduced microprocessor-controlled knees (MPKs), enhancing mobility for above-knee amputees. 
• This technology, derived from rocket motor composites, was transferred free to the Bhagwan Mahavir Vikalang Sahayata Samiti in Jaipur for mass production.

Space System for Rural Development

• The Swarn Jayanti Vidya Vikash Antariksh Upagraha Yojna (Vidya Vahini), launched in May 2000 using INSAT-3B, supports rural development in the Kalahandi-Bolangir-Koraput region of Odisha.
• It provides education, information, and training to remote areas.
• By 2025, satellite-based services have expanded, offering agricultural advisories and disaster management support to rural communities nationwide.

Space Programmes for North-East

• The North-Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC), established in Shillong in December 2000, promotes space technology for the North-East.
• It focuses on natural resource management, developmental communication, and space science research.
• In 2021, NESAC launched the North Eastern Spatial Data Repository (NeSDR), enhancing regional planning and resource utilization.

Scientific Campaign

• ISRO’s scientific campaign, initiated with 40 Rohini sounding rockets, studies atmospheric gravity waves using high-altitude balloons from Sriharikota and low-altitude balloons from Thiruvananthapuram.
• Recent efforts include the Aditya-L1 solar observatory (2024) and the Proba-3 mission (2024), advancing India’s space science research capabilities.

Mission to Moon

ISRO has conducted multiple unmanned lunar missions.

• Chandrayaan-1, launched on October 22, 2008, marked India’s first lunar exploration.
• Chandrayaan-2, launched on July 22, 2019, included an orbiter, lander, and rover.
• Chandrayaan-3, launched on July 14, 2023, successfully landed a rover near the lunar south pole.
• Chandrayaan-4, planned for 2027-2028, aims to collect and return lunar samples, building on prior successes.

Satellite-based Navigation

• The GPS-Aided Geo Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) system, operational since 2013, supports air traffic management in Indian airspace.
• Developed by ISRO and the Airports Authority of India, GAGAN enhances navigation accuracy and safety.
• By 2025, it has been fully integrated into aviation operations, with ongoing upgrades to support a consolidated satellite-based communication, navigation, and surveillance system.

Gaganyaan: Human Spaceflight Programme

• Gaganyaan, India’s first human spaceflight programme, aims to send three astronauts to low-Earth orbit for three days by 2026.
• Uncrewed test flights are scheduled for Q1 and Q2 2025, with four trained astronauts, including Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, preparing for the mission.
• This programme marks a significant milestone in India’s space ambitions, showcasing its technological prowess.

Indian Space Policy 2023 and Commercial Growth

• The Indian Space Policy 2023 has redefined India’s space ecosystem by promoting private sector participation through IN-SPACe and NSIL.
• It focuses on commercializing space activities and fostering innovation.
• By 2025, over 150 space startups are active, and ISRO’s commercial launches, such as AST SpaceMobile in March 2025, highlight India’s growing role in the global space economy.