Mains Practice Questions

Approach

• Start with emphasising outer space importance in the present context.
• Discuss how space is a part of the wider strategic context and need for India to make comprehensive space strategies.
• Suggest a way forward/ steps that can be taken.

Introduction

India’s ability to secure its use of outer space has played a major role in its growth and prosperity in the present era where outer space has become an important organ for maintaining security of the nation.

With the advent of the second space age, private NewSpace companies such as SpaceX are beginning to take the charge. However, as outlined in the Outer Space Treaty (OST), the existing international laws hold nation-states responsible for the actions and consequences of their private space companies, citizens, and functionaries.

It is prudent for countries and alliances of nations to formulate strategic publications detailing the broad direction of their space programmes. Such an initiative will bolster inter-organisation coordination and help build investor confidence.

The growing strategic salience of outer space demands substantive national policy action in India.

Body

Need for comprehensive policy for outer space

• Shaping the Global Order: India’s new strategic interest in outer space is based on a recognition of two important trends. One is the centrality of emerging technologies in shaping the 21^st-century global order. The other is about the urgency of writing new rules for the road to peace and stability in outer space.
• Space has overarching applications and dependencies across almost all aspects of civilian life and military operations.
  
  • Space is emerging as a potential fourth arm of India’s defence setup.
• With the US, Russia and China already in pursuit of becoming a Space power, India will need to equip itself appropriately to meet emerging security challenges.
• There is increasing competition in the space sector. New Zealand is positioning itself as a location for private rocket launches.
  
  • Singapore is offering itself as a hub for space entrepreneurship based on its legal environment, availability of skilled manpower and equatorial location.
• The United Kingdom (UK), China and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries have published the latest iterations of their strategic publications focused on the use of space.
  
  • India has not yet published a comprehensive space strategy. It may be wise for New Delhi to bring out its own strategic documents, outlining achievements, prospects and its broad approach to space.
• China already has its “Tiangong” space station’s first module in orbit and is also planning to build a near-earth object defence system in the next five years.
  
  • Its latest white paper on space highlights Beijing’s willingness for international cooperation in monitoring and responding to near-earth objects.
  • India does not have any plans for planetary defence on the horizon.

Steps that can be taken

• Balanced Approach for Space Projects: India needs to avoid hyper-fixation on selected outer space projects. Instead, there is a need for a balanced approach to address in-orbit, Earth-to-space, and space-to-Earth applications.
  
  • The NATO strategy’s reference to space being of relevance “across the spectrum of conflict” is a correct articulation of the idea.
• Engagement in International Fora: The international community and the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) are figuring out norms for responsible behaviour in outer space.
  
  • India’s strategy should indicate that it will not only be a participant but also a key stakeholder - it is imperative to put forward India’s concerns around ensuring unrestricted access to use of space by all nations.
• Greater Space Situational Awareness (SSA): Space Situational Awareness (SSA) is the awareness of the location and activities of any space object and the impact it can have.
  
  • Transparent SSA should also be a priority for India’s strategic publication, as it augments India’s capabilities across the spectrum for defence and deterrence.
• Establishing A Permanent Presence in Space: ISRO has undertaken manned space flight as a key focus area, beginning with the upcoming Gaganyan mission.
  
  • Another area of relevance India should accelerate research on is defence from near-earth objects.
    
    • India should take the initiative to cooperate with international bodies in the short term and plan for a planetary defence program in the long term.
    • Without international cooperation, India is unlikely to catch up to China