Bharat's democratisation of space: A decade of human-centric innovation, global outreach

Bharat has transformed space exploration from an arena of geopolitical rivalry into a tool for human progress, particularly over the past decade. While the global space narrative has long been dominated by power plays, New Delhi's approach stands out for its emphasis on democratisa-tion, cost-effectiveness, and inclusive benefits for humanity

When Bharat, recently, sent its heaviest-ever payload aboard an Indian launch vehicle into space, it was not just a national milestone but a moment that yet again marked how Bharat has transformed space from an elite instrument of power into a democratic public utility, one designed not for domi-nance, but for shared human progress.

To appreciate the significance of this moment, it is necessary to understand how space has historically been used, and misused, by global powers.

The Cold War Legacy: Space as a tool of supremacy

In the early days, space was not meant for everyone. The origins of modern space exploration trace back to the Cold War era, when the United States and the Soviet Union engaged in a fierce “Space Race” primarily to demonstrate technological and ideological superiority.

This competition, span-ning from the late 1950s to the 1970s, was less about direct benefits to humanity and more about proving dominance in a bipolar world. Milestones like the Soviet Union’s Sputnik launch in 1957 and the U.S. Apollo Moon landings were symbolic victories in the ideological battle between capitalism and communism, with limited immediate advantages for underdeveloped nations.

The focus was on military signalling, prestige, and strategic leverage rather than global welfare, leaving much of the developing world on the sidelines.

Post-Soviet Era: Space as an exclusive club

Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, space technology largely remained the prerog-ative of wealthy, technologically advanced nations. International cooperation expanded, notably through initiatives such as the International Space Station (ISS), but participation was mostly lim-ited to established powers such as the United States, Russia, Europe, and Japan.

While collaboration increased, access to advanced space capabilities for developing countries often depended on strategic alignment, funding capacity, or geopolitical considerations, reinforcing the perception of space as an exclusive club.

Bharat’s Entry: From scepticism to resilience

When Bharat entered the space arena in the 1960s and 1970s, its ambitions were often met with scepticism by parts of the global scientific and media community. As a developing economy priori-tising food security and poverty alleviation, India’s pursuit of space technology was frequently questioned.

In 2014, a New York Times cartoon depicting India’s Mars mission sparked controversy and dip-lomatic pushback after portraying India through a stereotypical lens. The publication later acknowledged the criticism it received. The episode underscored the perception challenges India faced as it asserted itself in advanced technology domains.

Despite this, Bharat built its space programme with a clear human-centric focus. From the outset, ISRO prioritised applications for societal benefit, such as the INSAT (Indian National Satellite) se-ries launched beginning in the 1980s. These multipurpose satellites supported telecommunications, television broadcasting, and meteorological services.

Later satellites, including INSAT-3D and INSAT-3DR, significantly enhanced weather forecast-ing, cyclone tracking, and disaster warning capabilities, benefiting millions across the subcontinent.

The Past Decade: Democratising space for the global south

Since 2014, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, Bharat’s space programme has ex-panded its outreach to developing nations, positioning space technology as a tool for shared devel-opment rather than strategic leverage.

A flagship initiative was the 2017 launch of the South Asia Satellite (GSAT-9), offered to partici-pating SAARC countries to support communication, disaster management, and telemedicine ser-vices. While not all SAARC members participated, the initiative marked a significant regional co-operation effort funded entirely by India.

Beyond the neighbourhood, India has shared satellite data, launch services, and training with coun-tries across Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. Through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme, ISRO has trained hundreds of professionals from multiple developing coun-tries in satellite applications and remote sensing.

In recent years, India has also expanded public access to Earth observation data through national data portals, improving availability for researchers, policymakers, and global users.

Surpassing Expectations: Cost-Effectiveness and milestones

Bharat’s credibility in space has been reinforced by its cost efficiency. The Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan), launched in 2013 at a cost of approximately $74 million, successfully entered Mar-tian orbit on its first attempt, making India the first Asian nation to do so.

In 2023, Chandrayaan-3 achieved a historic soft landing near the Moon’s south polar region, an area of immense scientific interest. The mission reinforced India’s reputation for delivering com-plex missions at comparatively modest costs.

The 2017 PSLV-C37 mission, which deployed 104 satellites in a single launch, further showcased India’s reliability as a commercial launch provider.

Contrast with the West: humanism vs militarisation

In contrast, several major powers have increasingly framed space as a strategic and military do-main. The United States established the Space Force in 2019, while Russia and China have demonstrated anti-satellite capabilities. NATO has also recognised space as an operational domain.

Bharat, while possessing defensive capabilities, has largely projected its space programme as civil-ian-led and development-oriented. Indian satellites have supported disaster response efforts, includ-ing during the 2015 Nepal earthquake, and aided agriculture, water management, and navigation services.

NAVIC, India’s regional navigation system, provides positioning services across the Indian Ocean region, supporting civilian applications such as transportation, fisheries, and emergency services.

Global Initiatives: Space for all, without attachments

India has extended space cooperation to multiple regions through satellite launches, training pro-grammes, and data-sharing arrangements. Facilities such as tracking stations in partner countries and capacity-building under multilateral forums reflect India’s soft-power approach to space diplo-macy.

India has also supported global discussions on sustainable space practices, including space debris mitigation, and collaborates with the United Nations on space applications for development.

Though space is inherently technological, it is also geopolitical. New Delhi has demonstrated how space technology can be leveraged as a diplomatic and developmental instrument without coercion. As Bharat continues to democratise access to space, its recent heavy-payload launch stands as a symbol of a broader vision—one in which advanced technology serves humanity, not just the privi-leged few

(The author is Founder of My Startup TV)