Chennai: The domain of space exploration as a business sector remained largely obscure before the advent of this century. On one extreme, celestial bodies such as stars, satellites, and planets were exclusive subjects within the purview of organizations like ISRO and NASA, while on the other end, they merely served as metaphors for seers.
Nevertheless, recent strides in space science and the ingress of private entities into the field have triggered a revolutionary shift in how nations perceive and engage in space research.
A notable development in India involves the government’s sanctioning of up to 100 percent foreign direct investment (FDI) in specific segments of space research. This strategic move aims to liberalize entry avenues and entice potential investors to support Indian companies in the space domain.
Dr. Mylswamy Annadurai, the former Director of ISRO and recognized as the Moon Man of India, provided exclusive insights on the space sector, the influence of Artificial Intelligence, and the abundant career prospects it offers to the youth in an interview with ETV Bharat’s Sankaranarayanan Sudalai.
Key excerpts from the interview:
ETB: The central government has approved 100 percent foreign investment in certain sectors of space research. What positive transformations do you anticipate for the industry?
Dr. Annadurai: Recent instances provide a fitting response. Amidst the global Covid pandemic, the aerospace industry stands out as a sector that has progressed significantly. Over 40 percent of the satellites launched in the past 65 years were deployed in the three years following the onset of the pandemic. Notably, private space companies like Elon Musk’s Space X and One Web accounted for over 90 percent of these launches. India, despite being government-led, actively engages in progressive space research, launching missions to the Moon and Mars. With the potential infusion of foreign investment, commercial advancements seem imminent.
While airplanes were initially exclusive to the Air Force, they eventually became a mode of transportation for the general public. A similar evolution is foreseeable in the space sector. While other nations take the lead, India is poised not to lag behind. The alteration allowing private sector involvement in a domain traditionally monopolized by the government is a significant stride.
Foreign investment presents an avenue for enhanced performance. Indians possess the technical prowess to partake in these endeavors. Anticipated improvements in business performance coincide with the establishment of a launch pad in Kulasekaran Pattinam, Tamil Nadu. I am optimistic that commercial investments will propel Indians to new heights in space exploration.
ETB: Space exploration extends beyond scientific realms, involving national security through military guidance satellites. Is allowing foreign investment without government intervention feasible in such a context?
Dr. Annadurai: It poses a challenge, reminiscent of the early days of cell phones, initially devised for security and personal use. Drones, a recent addition, also fall within this spectrum. Government oversight is undoubtedly necessary in regulating this sector. The need for increased production necessitates novel strategies and techniques. Just like cell phones and air travel, regulation by the government is crucial. In the contemporary era, exclusive reliance on government resources for investment and development is unfeasible; private contributions are imperative.
ETB: With the potential influx of massive investments in the Indian space sector, promising novel career opportunities, how should students approach this field? What courses should they pursue to carve a niche in it?
Dr. Annadurai: B.Tech programs in Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, and Computer Science present viable opportunities. Postgraduate courses in aeronautical and aerospace fields can be pursued. Enrolling in ISRO’s Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram, can pave the way for a bright future. Successful completion of the course opens avenues in both government and private space sectors. Exceptional performance may even offer opportunities to study at the NASA Academy.
ETB: What is the current status of the Gaganyaan project, aiming to send humans into space?
Dr. Annadurai: The Gaganyaan project’s final phase involves the utilization of a cryogenic machine. Even in the recent Chandrayaan-3 program, tests approached a “Human Rated” perspective. Uninterrupted transit during launch, irrespective of external temperature changes or minor fuel adjustments, is imperative to the mission’s safety. Rigorous testing, comprising over 30 types for the cryogenic machine, has qualified it for human transport. Vyommitra, a humanoid robot, is scheduled for testing on an unmanned spacecraft by the year’s end. The results will inform attempts to send humans, elucidating the impact of air pressure and temperature on occupants.
ETB: How do you perceive the integration of artificial intelligence in the space industry?
Dr. Annadurai: The inception of technologies like computers and cell phones in the space industry preceded their commercial viability. AI has been integral to ISRO since the Mangalyaan mission. With a communication delay of 40 minutes during Mangalyaan’s approach to Mars, AI facilitated autonomous decision-making. In the Chandrayaan project, AI autonomously operated the Vikram lander and Pragyan rover. Traditionally, human monitoring of satellites has transitioned to AI-driven surveillance. AI’s role extends to decision-making in testing devices like cryogenics and monitoring orbiting satellite missions. The aerospace industry pioneers technology usage that the world will inevitably require in the future.
ETB: Global warming emerges as a pressing concern. Can insights from the Aditya-L1 mission, aimed at exploring the Sun, contribute to addressing climate change?
Dr. Annadurai: The Aditya L1 mission primarily addresses changes in space rather than on Earth. Satellites in space are more susceptible to warming. INSAT 3DS, recently launched, scrutinizes Earth’s temperature. Additionally, the NISR (Nasa Isro Synthetic Aperture Radar) satellite, a joint venture between ISRO and NASA, is set to launch, comparing Earth’s weather every 14 days. This collaboration is poised to offer global insights into the severity of climate change, not just in regions like the Himalayas and Antarctica but also in the temperature dynamics of forests.