By: Khushbu Ahlawat, Consulting Editor, GSDN
Introduction
India’s space journey began not as a quest for prestige or power projection, but as an instrument of national development. In the early decades after independence, space technology was conceived as a tool to bridge inequality—bringing weather forecasting to farmers, communication to remote villages, and disaster warning systems to vulnerable coastlines. Under visionary scientific leadership and through institutions such as the Indian Space Research Organisation, India crafted a model of space development rooted in societal transformation rather than geopolitical rivalry.
From the experimental launches at Thumba to the operational success of the PSLV, and from lunar exploration through Chandrayaan missions to the Mars Orbiter Mission, India steadily expanded its technological horizons. These achievements demonstrated cost efficiency, indigenous innovation, and scientific ambition. For much of its history, however, India’s space programme maintained a distinctly civilian orientation—carefully separating developmental priorities from overt strategic signalling.
Over the past decade, this equilibrium has gradually shifted. The global space environment has become more congested, contested, and competitive. Major powers are investing heavily in military space capabilities, satellite constellations are crowding low-Earth orbit, and commercial actors are reshaping the economics of launch and satellite services. Precision warfare, intelligence gathering, secure communications, and navigation systems have reinforced the reality that space infrastructure underpins modern state power.
Against this backdrop, India’s space trajectory is entering a new phase. The coming period represents more than technological advancement; it signals the consolidation of a civil–military space architecture aligned with national security, economic resilience, and strategic autonomy. Human spaceflight ambitions, the rapid rise of private launch enterprises, indigenous breakthroughs in communication and propulsion technologies, and closer coordination between civilian and defence space agencies together mark a structural transformation. India is no longer only a developmental space power. It is emerging as a strategic space actor—seeking not merely access to orbit, but influence within it.
From Thumba to Strategic Orbit: India’s Space Power in a Contested Era
India’s space programme began in the 1960s with modest sounding rocket launches from Thumba, driven by a developmental philosophy that viewed space technology as a tool for nation-building. The creation of the Indian Space Research Organisation in 1969 institutionalised this vision. Early milestones such as Aryabhata (1975) and the operational success of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) established India’s credibility as a reliable and cost-effective spacefaring nation, supporting weather forecasting, telecommunications, disaster management, and remote sensing.
The 21st century marked a decisive expansion of ambition. Chandrayaan-1 confirmed water molecules on the Moon, the Mars Orbiter Mission showcased interplanetary capability at minimal cost, and Chandrayaan-3 achieved a historic south polar landing. More recently, the success of Aditya-L1 signalled India’s growing sophistication in solar and space-weather studies—critical for satellite protection and grid resilience.
Strategic imperatives have simultaneously sharpened. The 2019 ASAT demonstration, expanding satellite-based maritime domain awareness in the Indo-Pacific, and growing military reliance on secure communications reflect the operational centrality of space assets. With the rise of private players like Skyroot Aerospace and the push for human spaceflight under Gaganyaan, India’s programme is no longer compartmentalised. It is evolving into a civil–military integrated space architecture suited to an increasingly contested orbital environment.
From Strategic Restraint to Civil–Military Fusion: Recasting India’s Space Doctrine
For decades, India’s space doctrine was anchored in strategic restraint and developmental prioritisation. While major powers openly integrated military objectives into their space programmes, India emphasised peaceful uses of outer space, socioeconomic applications, and cost-effective innovation. The Indian Space Research Organisation became globally respected for enabling weather forecasting, tele-education, disaster management, and navigation services rather than overt power projection. Even as launch vehicles such as the PSLV gained international credibility, New Delhi maintained a measured posture regarding the security dimensions of its orbital assets.
However, the transformation of the global strategic environment has compelled doctrinal evolution. The Indo-Pacific’s maritime competition, satellite-enabled precision targeting, and the centrality of real-time intelligence in modern warfare have redefined space as a critical operational domain. The establishment of India’s Defence Space Agency in 2019 and the demonstration of anti-satellite capability that same year marked an inflection point—signalling that space security could no longer remain implicit.
Today, the global space domain is characterised by congestion, contestation, and commercial disruption. Mega-constellations deployed by entities such as SpaceX under the Starlink programme are crowding low-Earth orbit (LEO), raising concerns over orbital debris and spectrum competition. Major powers continue to develop counter-space capabilities, blurring the line between deterrence and weaponisation. Simultaneously, AI-enabled surveillance, battlefield analytics, and dual-use commercial satellite imagery—widely used during the Ukraine conflict—have demonstrated how private-sector platforms can decisively shape military outcomes.
India has absorbed these lessons. Satellite-based maritime domain awareness across the Indian Ocean Region, enhanced integration of NAVIC navigation systems for defence applications, and the growing reliance on secure satellite communications for joint operations reflect a shift toward operational integration. The success of missions such as Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya-L1 further illustrate the expanding technological base that underpins both civilian and strategic capabilities.
Equally significant is the rise of private actors like Skyroot Aerospace, whose launch ambitions complement national objectives. The convergence of public institutions, commercial startups, and defence requirements signals the emergence of a civil–military fusion model tailored to Indian realities.
In this evolving context, 2026 is likely to formalise a more integrated doctrine—where civilian innovation, commercial agility, and military preparedness operate in synergy rather than separation. India’s space programme is no longer defined solely by developmental aspiration; it is increasingly structured around resilience, deterrence, and strategic autonomy in an era of orbital competition.
Human Spaceflight, Commercial Agility, and Technological Sovereignty: India’s Orbital Leap Forward
India’s space programme has long prioritised satellites for communication, navigation, and remote sensing, but the ambition to place an Indian astronaut in orbit has been part of its strategic imagination for decades. From Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 mission aboard a Soviet spacecraft to the steady maturation of launch vehicles like PSLV and GSLV, the groundwork for human spaceflight has been gradually laid. The success of Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya-L1 further strengthened confidence in India’s systems engineering and mission management capabilities.
The Gaganyaan programme now represents the next decisive step. By sending Indian “vyomanauts” into low-Earth orbit aboard an indigenously developed spacecraft, India will demonstrate mastery over life-support systems, crew escape mechanisms, precision re-entry technologies, and orbital manoeuvring. Human spaceflight is not merely symbolic—it signals technological maturity and strategic credibility in a domain historically dominated by a few powers. It also lays the foundation for India’s long-term vision of establishing the Bharatiya Antriksh Station, a modular space station intended for scientific research, technology validation, and international collaboration under Indian leadership.
However, this ambition unfolds in an increasingly congested orbital environment. The challenges faced by the International Space Station and China’s Tiangong space station underscore the risks of debris and dense satellite constellations. With companies like SpaceX deploying thousands of satellites, space situational awareness and debris mitigation have become operational necessities for astronaut safety.
Parallel to human spaceflight, India is strengthening commercial launch agility. The Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV), developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation with industrial collaboration including Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, is set to enter commercial service, offering rapid, low-cost deployment for small satellites. Meanwhile, the anticipated orbital launch of Vikram-1 by Skyroot Aerospace marks the rise of private-sector dynamism in India’s launch ecosystem. Defence-oriented rapid launch systems, reportedly under development, further highlight the strategic imperative of on-demand orbital access.
Complementing these capabilities are indigenous breakthroughs—Travelling-Wave Tube Amplifiers, Quantum Key Distribution for secure communications, and high-thrust electric propulsion systems. These dual-use technologies strengthen both civilian resilience and military preparedness, aligning space innovation with India’s broader goal of technological sovereignty in an increasingly contested domain.
Recalibrating the Commercial Compass: From Western Dependence to Multipolar Partnerships
India’s commercial space journey began cautiously, with limited private participation under a tightly regulated framework. For decades, the Indian Space Research Organisation functioned as both operator and regulator, while commercial launches were channelled through state-backed mechanisms. However, reforms over the past few years—particularly the creation of IN-SPACe and the opening of launch infrastructure to private firms—have transformed the ecosystem. Start-ups such as Skyroot Aerospace and Pixxel have emerged, signalling India’s intent to compete in the global small-satellite and Earth observation markets.
Yet geopolitical flux has introduced new realities. Sanctions regimes, export controls, and strategic alignments have exposed vulnerabilities for companies overly reliant on Western supply chains and markets. The experience of global firms during the Ukraine conflict—where commercial satellite services such as those provided by SpaceX became entangled in geopolitics—demonstrates how commercial space can quickly assume strategic overtones.
Against this backdrop, India is likely to recalibrate its partnerships. Diversifying beyond traditional Western blocs, strengthening South–South cooperation, and engaging emerging space actors in Asia, Africa, and Latin America will become priorities. India’s launch services, satellite manufacturing capabilities, and cost-effective engineering offer attractive options to multipolar markets. As one of the world’s fastest-growing large economies, India can leverage space diplomacy as a tool of geopolitical outreach—expanding satellite exports, remote sensing collaborations, and training partnerships.
Space Security and Strategic Reach: Safeguarding India’s Expanding Sphere
India’s strategic sphere of influence increasingly spans the Indo-Pacific, where maritime security, sea-lane protection, and real-time surveillance are indispensable. Satellite-enabled maritime domain awareness, NAVIC navigation support, border surveillance, and encrypted communications form the backbone of modern defence preparedness. The establishment of dedicated defence space structures and the growing integration of civilian satellite data into military planning reflect this shift.
In the coming phase, integration between commercial and defence assets is likely to deepen. Earth observation constellations developed for agriculture or climate monitoring may also support strategic reconnaissance. Dual-use technologies—already evident globally—blur the line between civilian and military platforms. India’s policy approach will therefore balance three imperatives: deterrence against hostile disruption, sustainability in orbital conduct, and sovereignty through assured access to space-based capabilities.
This civil–military fusion architecture is not an abandonment of peaceful principles, but a pragmatic adaptation to an environment where space infrastructure underpins economic resilience and national security alike.
Orbital Sustainability and Strategic Convergence: Shaping the Rules of the Future
The rapid proliferation of mega-constellations has intensified concerns over orbital congestion and debris. Incidents affecting platforms such as the International Space Station and China’s Tiangong space station highlight the growing hazards in low-Earth orbit. For India, particularly with human spaceflight ambitions underway, orbital sustainability is not theoretical—it is operationally urgent.
In the near term, India is well positioned to advocate responsible satellite deployment norms, transparent debris mitigation standards, and cooperative space traffic management mechanisms. Such initiatives would align with its longstanding commitment to equitable and peaceful uses of outer space while reinforcing its credibility as a responsible power.
Looking ahead, the artificial separation between civilian, commercial, and military space activities is dissolving. By the end of 2026, India’s space architecture is likely to reflect strategic convergence: operational readiness for human spaceflight, a maturing private launch ecosystem, indigenous technological breakthroughs, and stronger coordination between defence and civilian agencies. In a fragmented global order, space will not merely be a technological frontier—it will be a central arena of India’s strategic statecraft.
Conclusion
India’s space trajectory today reflects far more than technological progress—it signals the consolidation of national power in a domain that increasingly shapes geopolitical outcomes. What began as a development-centric programme aimed at social transformation has evolved into a multidimensional architecture integrating commercial dynamism, military preparedness, and technological sovereignty. The maturation of institutions such as the Indian Space Research Organisation, the rise of private innovators, and the operationalisation of defence space structures collectively underscore this transformation.
Human spaceflight under Gaganyaan, the emergence of agile launch capabilities, indigenous breakthroughs in secure communications and propulsion, and recalibrated international partnerships reflect a deeper structural shift. India is positioning itself not merely as a participant in the global space economy, but as a rule-shaper in debates over orbital sustainability, strategic stability, and equitable access to space. As orbital congestion intensifies and space becomes central to economic resilience and deterrence, India’s approach will hinge on balancing sovereignty with responsibility. The coming phase—particularly through 2026—may well mark the consolidation of India as a strategically integrated space power: development-driven in origin, security-conscious in practice, and globally consequential in ambition.
About the Author
Khushbu Ahlawat is a research analyst with a strong academic background in International Relations and Political Science. She has undertaken research projects at Jawaharlal Nehru University, contributing to analytical work on international and regional security issues. Alongside her research experience, she has professional exposure to Human Resources, with involvement in talent acquisition and organizational operations. She holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from Christ University, Bangalore, and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Delhi.
