General Studies Paper-3 Context India’s space sector is projected to surge from USD 8.4 billion in 2022 to USD 44 billion by 2033, aiming to capture 8% of the global market. India’s share in the Space Industry India’s space economy contributes 2-3% of the global space economy, and this is expected to rise to 8% by 2030 and further to 15% by the year 2047. With over 400 private space companies, India ranks fifth globally in the number of space companies. Private players in the Space Industry: The number of space startups in India increased to nearly 200 in 2024....Read More

General Studies Paper-3 Context The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) has facilitated the transfer of five technologies developed by ISRO to five Indian companies. About The transfers are aimed at driving commercialisation, strengthening self-reliance, reducing imports, and enabling wider applications of space technologies in sectors such as automotive, biomedical, and industrial manufacturing. Technologies Transferred For Biomedical Use: The Low-Temperature Co-Fired Ceramic (LTCC) Multi-Chip Module, developed by the Space Application Centre (SAC), enables the integration of multiple semiconductor chips into a single, compact module. This has been acquired for RT-PCR kits requiring high-volume production. For solar panel bonding:....Read More

General Studies Paper-3 CONTEXT: Recently, experts stressed  the urgent need for strong national space laws for India to support exploration, innovation, and commercialisation in space. About The Outer Space Treaty of 1967 prohibits national claims over space and holds states accountable for all space activities, including those by private entities. The treaty and its companions outline key principles but they are not self-enforcing. According to United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) officials, national legislation is essential to implement these principles, offering legal clarity, predictability, and responsible growth of space sectors. Many countries now have national space legislation. Japan,....Read More

General Studies Paper -3 CONTEXT: The recent Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla journey to ISS marks India’s ascent as a major space power, aligning with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 and embracing the philosophy of Vishwabandhu Bharat in the space sector. Dimensions of India’s Space Programme Scientific & Technological Dimension: Cost-effective innovation: India’s missions, such as Chandrayaan-3, succeeded in lunar landing at about 1/10th the cost of global peers; the ISS research mission was also completed at a fraction of international costs. Indigenous R&D: Development of launch vehicles (PSLV, GSLV Mk-III), navigation (NavIC), and cryogenic technology showcases India’s self-reliance. Economic....Read More

General Studies Paper-3 Context India’s space regulator INSPACe has granted a licence to Elon Musk-run Starlink to offer space-based internet services in the country. About Starlink has been waiting since 2022 for licences to operate commercially in India. It would be the third company to receive India’s nod to enter the space after Eutelsat’s OneWeb and Reliance Jio. Starlink will now need to secure spectrum from the government, set up ground infrastructure, and also demonstrate through testing and trials that it meets the security rules it has signed up for. Starlink authorisation is to operate Gen1 constellation for providing satellite....Read More

General Studies Paper -3 Context: As satellite internet becomes a crucial component of global connectivity, and the competition to dominate satellite-based communications is not just about technological advancement but also about national security, economic influence, and digital sovereignty. About Satellite Net  It is communications infrastructure in space that has the potential to connect underserved and unserved regions, transforming education, healthcare, and commerce, which are critical for national security. However, the ability to control satellite networks can influence military operations, surveillance, and emergency response systems. As nations race to secure orbital slots, frequency bands, and Low-Earth orbit (LEO)dominance, the competition extends....Read More

General Studies paper -3 Context: Information Technology (IT) major Infosys is eyeing opportunities in India’s space tech sector and has put forward its name as a contender to build and launch satellites. About India’s space sector has traditionally been dominated by ISRO, but recent policy changes are opening the sector to private enterprises and startups. The Indian space economy is projected to grow at a 48% CAGR over the next five years, reaching $50 billion. The privatization of the Indian space sector aims to boost innovation, attract private investment, reduce dependence on imports, and strengthen India’s position as a global....Read More

General Studies Paper -3 Context: A 500-kg metal object, believed to be space debris, crashed in Kenya, highlighting concerns about accountability and regulatory gaps in space governance. About Space Debris It includes non-functional satellites, abandoned rocket stages, and smaller fragments from previous space missions. The UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UN-COPUOS) defines space debris as all man-made objects, including fragments and elements thereof, in Earth orbit or re-entering the atmosphere, that are non-functional. According to NASA, millions of pieces of debris orbit the Earth, ranging from tiny paint flecks to large satellite remnants. Factors Causing Space....Read More

General Studies Paper -3 Context: Aditya-L1 has made a significant discovery by capturing the first-ever image of a solar flare ‘kernel’ in the lower solar atmosphere (photosphere and chromosphere). Aditya-L1 It was launched in September 2023, by ISRO’s PSLV C-57 rocket. It was placed in a halo orbit around the Earth-Sun Lagrange Point (L1) in January It is India’s first dedicated space-based solar mission. It stays approximately 1.5 million km away from Earth, directed towards the Sun, which is about 1% of the Earth-Sun distance. It would study the outer atmosphere of the Sun. It will neither land on the....Read More

General Studies Paper-3 Context: As per the union minister of state for Science & Technology India’s space economy is set to grow fivefold to $44 billion in the next decade, with private investments already crossing ₹1,000 crore. India’s share in Space Industry India’s space economy stands at $8 billion contributing 2-3% of the global space economy and this is expected to rise to 8% by 2030 and further to 15% by the year 2047. With over 400 private space companies, India ranks fifth globally in no. of space companies. Private players in Space Industry The number of space startups in....Read More