Isro's Impact: From Discovering Water on the Moon to Fostering India's Space Tech Startups

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has made significant strides in the field of space exploration over the past 15 years. From discovering water on the moon to fostering India's space tech startups, ISRO's impact has been far-reaching and transformative.

Discovering Water on the Moon

In October 2008, ISRO launched its first mission to the moon, Chandrayaan-1. This groundbreaking mission made a major discovery - the presence of water molecules on the lunar surface. This finding was significant as it opened up new possibilities for future space exploration and further understanding of the moon's composition.

Chandrayaan-1 was just the beginning of ISRO's impressive list of achievements. Over the years, they have launched several successful missions, including the Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) and Chandrayaan-2, which aimed to send a lander to the moon's south pole to search for water ice.

Fostering India's Space Tech Startups

While ISRO continues to pursue its own ambitious missions, they have also played a crucial role in fostering India's fledgling space tech startup ecosystem. Private, venture capital-funded space-tech startups in India are emerging with ISRO's invaluable support.

These startups are working on various aspects of space technology, including earth observation satellites, satellite launch vehicles, and in-space propulsion systems. They are leveraging ISRO's co-working and testing facilities to develop their innovative technologies.

One such startup is GalaxEye, which signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) to use ISRO's facilities for developing synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) and multi-spectral imaging (MSI) technology. GalaxEye is also working on building a private constellation of earth observation satellites, with plans to launch its first satellite, Drishti Mission, in the next 12 months.

Other startups, such as Skyroot Aerospace, Agnikul Cosmos, and Bellatrix Aerospace, are also making significant progress in their respective areas of expertise. Skyroot Aerospace has successfully launch-tested its first technology demonstrator rocket, while Agnikul Cosmos is gearing up for its first rocket test. Bellatrix Aerospace is planning to establish a state-of-the-art factory in Bengaluru for building in-space propulsion systems.

ISRO's Greatest Contribution

ISRO's support for India's space tech startups is likely to be their greatest contribution in the long run. By fostering and nurturing these startups, ISRO is not only encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship but also strengthening India's position in the global space industry.

The partnership between ISRO and these startups is paving the way for India to become a major player in the space tech ecosystem. With ISRO's expertise and resources, coupled with the entrepreneurial spirit of these startups, India is well-positioned to make significant advancements in the field of space technology.

ISRO's achievements and milestones over the past 15 years have been nothing short of breathtaking. From Chandrayaan-1 to Chandrayaan-3, ISRO has continuously pushed the boundaries of space exploration. With future missions like Gaganyaan, India's first manned mission to space, ISRO is set to demonstrate its capability to send humans to space and safely return them.

ISRO's impact extends beyond its own missions. By fostering India's space tech startups, ISRO is creating a self-sustaining ecosystem that will drive innovation, create jobs, and contribute to the growth of India's space industry.

As we look back at this time in the history of India's space faring efforts, we will recognize ISRO's role in not only discovering water on the moon but also in fostering a vibrant and thriving space tech startup ecosystem in India.