Promote Soft Power through Space Commerce

Sometime in August this year, India would notch  up the distinction of launching the heaviest ever foreign satellite on commercial terms when its four stage space workhorse, Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) places the 800 kg Spot 6  French advanced earth observation satellite into orbit. According to sources in the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), this PSLV flight will also launch a 15 kg Japanese space probe as a piggy back payload.  For this mission, a core alone version of the launch vehicle, without its usual six strap on boosters attached to the first stage, would be deployed. As it is, SPOT 6 will be launched as part of the agreement that Astrium SAS, a company owned by EADS (European Aeronautics Defence and Space Company) had entered into with the Bangalore based Antrix Corp, the commercial arm of the Indian space programme. This is perhaps the most prestigious and highest ever revenue earning contract bagged by Antrix which has, however, not divulged the details of the fee it would receive for this launch service. Significantly, W2M and Hylas advanced communications satellites delivered to the European customers sometime back through the alliance Antrix had entered into with Astrium continues to perform well. Indeed, this tie up signifies the maturity India has attained in building and launching satellites. Moreover, Indian space programme can stand to boost its strategic edge by providing launch support to the satellites built by the technologically advanced countries.

So far using  PSLV,  described as a reliable and  versatile space vehicle, Antrix has launched 27 satellites belonging to  customers from countries such as Algeria, Italy, Israel, Luxembourg, Belgium, Germany, Indonesia, Canada, Singapore, Switzerland and South Korea.  Antrix sees revenue surging 20 per cent annually over the next five years on the back of the expanding launch services. Clearly   and apparently, Antrix looks at the launch services as the major growth area in the years ahead. According to Antrix, the continued successful track record of PSLV has led the customers reiterating their confidence in PSLV. The strong point of PSLV is said to be its proven multi mission, multi payload capability in a single launch. In a spectacular display of its awesome prowess, the PSLV mission of April 2008 saw the launch of ten satellites in one go. The 1858 kg Indian radar imaging satellite RISAT-1 launched in April this year happens to be the heaviest satellite payload hoisted into space by PSLV.

The sale of high resolution data obtained from India’s IRS series of remote sensing satellites to the customers from across the world now accounts for around one fourth of the revenue earned by Antrix. The latest annual report of the Indian Space Department says that the global distribution of the data from IRS spacecraft constellation is being undertaken through a network of 12 international ground stations. These ground stations are being served with data downlink from a variety of satellites in IRS network.  Antrix is also planning to sell data from RISAT-1 with potential applications in the area of agriculture and disaster management.  A reseller network currently operates in South Korea, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Turkey, Greece, Dubai, Nepal, USA, Russia, Japan, Vietnam and Turkey. Further into future, with ISRO planning to develop and launch hyper spectral imaging satellites, Antrix expects to expand the satellite data market by a substantial extent. Antrix claims that it offers the best of the images obtained from IRS system, considered one of the largest constellations of earth observation satellites in the world. IRS provides resources data in a variety of spatial, spectral and temporal resolutions.

On another front, Antrix offers mission support services for a variety of satellites of international customers by taking advantage of the rich experience acquired by ISRO through the successful operation of satellite missions covering remote sensing and communications satellites. With a view to position India as a major satellite building hub, Antrix has submitted several proposals to global satellite operators to produce satellites on turnkey basis using the flight proven satellite platforms. The recently unveiled plan of ISRO to build an advanced communications satellite weighing over 5 tons could help boost the prospect of Antrix in bagging orders for the supply of satellites on a turnkey basis.

Like China, India too is set on the course of promoting its soft power and diplomatic clout by making available its space expertise and knowhow to the developing countries. During his May 2012 visit to Seoul, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had offered Indian launch support for a nano satellite developed by the South Korean students. Prior to that, in 2009, Singh had offered to make available satellite resources data to South East Asian countries for monitoring natural disasters. He had also offered Indian help in launching small satellites built by them. Way back in 1999, PSLV had orbited South Korean Kitsat-3 satellite as one of the piggy back payloads under commercial terms. Antrix’s   growth strategy is based on rapidly expanding its business into new geographical areas and enhancing the range of services offered by it.

On its part, China has been steadily and quietly expanding its diplomatic clout and influence in a large part of the third world by making available its expertise and services to the countries wishing to enter space age. China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC) set up in 1980 as a commercial wing of the Chinese space programme continues to provide commercial space services including building and launching satellites along with the setting up of the ground receiving stations to the customers from across the world. China has already built and launched satellites for countries such as Pakistan, Venezuela and Nigeria in addition to providing launch service for Indonesia’s domestic satellite named Palapa. Further, it has signed commercial satellite and ground system export contract with Bolivia and Laos.

But then there are many entry barriers that Antrix may have to face when it comes to launching heavier class commercial satellites. Satellites built in US and satellites carrying US origin hardware are not allowed to be launched by a space vehicle of another country under the US export regulation. These regulations have already led to Antrix losing two potential commercial orders for launching satellites. Also, to stay competitive in the global satellite launch service segment, Antrix would have to look beyond PSLV, currently the only Indian operational launch vehicle.

A second Indian launch pad is a critical requirement for Antrix to help it make deeper forays into the launch service area. Currently, the only Indian spaceport in Sriharikota Island can support just 3-4 orbital missions a year. There is a growing realisation that depending on a single launch complex does not make for a good strategy in so far as attracting international customers for launching satellites from Indian soil is concerned. Similarly, to stay competitive in the global market for launching satellites, ISRO would need to boost the production of launch vehicles and satellites on a turnkey basis by involving the Indian industries in the entire process in a big way.

Radhakrishna Rao is a freelancer specializing in defence and aerospace issues