Dr S Somanath

40 VISION INTERVIEW ISRO at its innovative best for nation building

Dr S Somanath, Secretary, Department of Space, and Chairman, Indian Space Research

Organisation, in an interview with Arup Dasgupta, Managing Editor, Geospatial World, unveils his vision and throws light on the achievements of the national space agency. Following are the excerpts:

Credit: ISRO

On ISRO and innovation

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is home to many innovations currently taking place in all sectors of space technology: applications, spacecraft bus, launchers, and advanced technologies for payloads, exploratory missions, and science missions.

Innovation in communications

We were able to build HighThroughput spacecraft in the last few years and put them in place, so that we have the capability to achieve something like 20 gbps. But that is just not enough. I think the demand is much higher. This is one area where we have to innovate to create spacecraft buses for the future. There is no difficulty in doing so, but the real issue is: who is the user who wants it and who is going to deploy it and economically exploit it? We need optical communication links so that we can establish High Throughput and secure communications networks. Here, we started with the small payloads demonstration, but it did not go far. We need to go further in creating very reliable optic communications networks. Inter-satellite communication is another area that needs to be developed. We also have to go into various other bands in the communication domain. We have gone up to Ka; now we are moving to Q and V bands also. These need to be developed and we have to deploy these bands for our regular communication use, including for various other institutional users and for commercial exploitation.

Innovation in remote sensing

The demand for remote sensing data in various sectors

is increasing and people are looking for high-resolution imagery. They are also looking for various advanced technologies in other spectra. We are being asked for radar imagery for agriculture use and other resources mapping. There is also a demand for continuation of support for existing satellite observation platforms, so that the users are not disturbed frequently. This is a conflicting demand. We need to look at how this can be met, as low-resolution demand is also there while we look for a high-resolution solution.

Then there is another demand for geo-based optical observations, and geo-based other spectra observations for various users, including strategic users. The challenge today is not only for resolution but the periodicity or revisit capability, and availability of data in a very short time. These two things demand that we put more platforms in orbit.

Currently, around 20-23 earth observation satellites are in the orbit but this is just not enough for India. The challenge is who is going to build them and operate them, and how will they be commercially viable. This is a very difficult question also because everything cannot be funded by the government, and we cannot put hundreds of Earth Observation satellites into orbit and make all the data available to everyone for free. While everyone may want it for free, no one is ready to actually build satellites.

The demand for small launch vehicles

We looked at the entire design process to see if an on-demand launcher can be realized in the complex domain of launchers. I think we have been successful in that, although the development has taken a long time; the vehicle is in shape now and we are going to have a launch soon. After this, it will go to the industry for production and launch to meet the consumer demand.

Reusable launch vehicles

We are also looking for innovation in reusable launch vehicles; work on this has been going on for some time. We will have a landing demonstration soon, followed by an orbital launching demonstration. A reusable launch vehicle of this class is critical for strategic users rather than commercial users. We are also looking at how to bring down the cost of the launcher from typically USD 20,000/kg to USD 5,000. This will be possible only by bringing reusability into the rocket, but a reusable rocket will become profitable only if it is used very frequently.

Launches only once or twice a year would not be economical. It will be costlier than an expendable launcher. We need to first work out the business and launch opportunity, only then will a reusable rocket become economically viable. Once we see market potential, we will work on such a rocket.

Innovation in technologies

We are also working on a number of other technologies within the organization. There are visible outcomes, like launchers satellites, applications, but internally to build all of this, we have to work on a huge number of satellites technologies, miniaturization of electronics, new material development, additive manufacturing, new chemical processes, new algorithms for autonomous operation of satellites and rockets, and new intelligence systems and rockets so that failure detection isolations can be avoided. When I was the Director at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), we worked on 600 new technologies! We are in the business of innovating and improving our existing knowledge.

On the use of artificial intelligence

We are not using artificial intelligence (AI) deeply, because AI and machine learning (ML) and data analytic applications are continuing to evolve. They have not entered our work in a big way. But, of course, I can say there are examples of AI usage in our work – image processing, space for data images, object identification and classification. We were able to create 3D images from 2D images using AI technology and various other methods.

Organizational changes to promote AI

We have created a leadership within the organization where AI-based applications can be developed by individuals. We grouped them under different headings and then tried to bring them together so that the framework of AI could be generated. Algorithm development, hardware requirement, software requirement ─ everything is involved. Now there is a coordinated effort happening across centers.

There are various AI applications. For example, in a launch vehicle, we look at AI for data analysis, because during every launch we get so much data that nobody can complete the analysis in real time. So, we are looking at that type of AI there. Defect identification through test data. Defect identification missions — that is one big domain.

On the space environment

We have followed conventions. We are active partners in space debris management teams and inter-agency committees for space debris management.

Space debris mitigation

We made sure that all upper stages will be de-energized. That means if there are pressure runs, it'll be relieved, propellants will be let out, so that the stage will remain passive, and doesn't generate secondary debris. We have been following this procedure for many years for all PSLV and other rockets. We need to ensure that all soon-to-be defunct satellites are moved to the graveyard orbit. We do this systematically, only recently we move one of our end-of-life satellites to a graveyard orbit, which is thousands of hundreds of kilometers above the GSO so that it doesn't come back and create us a debris for at least hundreds of years.

For low earth orbits, we have to ensure that the satellites are brought down to a level where it will decay in less than 25 years of time, not in hundreds of years. This also, we are trying to do whenever a low orbit satellite becomes non-functional. If we have propellant left we can use it to reduce its orbit, so that it will reenter after a few years.

Observational capability and modelling

The most important part is to have observational capability. This requires interagency coordination, and exchange of data between different agencies, who have ability to observe, and also predict the devolution of the debris in orbit.

This capability we have developed and with good mathematically capability within the organization of all the observable data, we can predict the conjunction analysis between these debris and share this information with everybody working in the world, so we have a coordinated work.

ISRO’s own observational capability

We are also looking at how to create observational capability. Definitely, all these debris should be about 10 centimeter in size, anything less than 10 centimeter is not observable. We have to establish radars of our own, optical ground stations of our own, to observe not only our satellite, other objects in space, so that we can also contribute to the global knowledge of this debris.

Long-term view

The demand for satellites is increasing, and thousands of satellites are coming, especially in the low earth orbit. This a potential threat to the entire humanity or space activity. We have no way to regulate it, or control it in any manner. We can only watch it and then be careful about it. But there is a big danger waiting.

Collaboration with other space agencies

There are a plenty of such collaborations, but the collaborations are mostly in the science domain, and some in applications domain. For example, NISAR, carries an L and S band Synthetic Aperture Radar, which is useful for both nations. It is an experimental one, but it has a lot of applications in agriculture sector, and soil monitoring. L band has a specific advantage,

and this comes from NASA and S band is supplied by us.

We are currently working with the French agency, CNES, on a mission to look at a satellite called TRISHNA, which can address various science objectives, especially in the agriculture sector, using various spectra, which I will not reveal, because both of us are developing payloads in that domain.

We are working with Japan, JAXA, on developing a payload, as well as a mission to go to the moon. This will be launched using Japan's launch vehicle, but the spacecraft will be jointly developed by ISRO and Japan. A lander which will land on the moon. This will be after Chandrayaan 3 It will take three, four, five years to develop.

We had an engine technology discussion going on with the Russia. We have so much of support coming from Russia for Gaganyaan programs as well as from Europe and America. We have a specific technology help coming in from US for deep space missions, like Chandrayaan 2 and Aditya L1.

We also look at how we can create global facilities like ground stations, data dissemination centers. We are also looking at how GNSS, like NAVIC system, can have cross calibration facilities in other centers, how our data can be used for various other GNSS providers, and then joint operation of these GNSS systems in case of requirement. We are developing multi GNSS chip sets. We have discussion with various users like Russia and Europe, whatever GNSS they are developing.

On respond basket-2022

All these projects are linked to some or other activity already going on in ISRO. We identified these projects on the basis of their connection with our longterm vision of each of the centers. Ultimately, once it is developed, it will get fit into either a launch vehicle, or a satellite, or a payload, or a mission. It is not just an open-ended research.

Overarching space policy for the country

An overarching space policy is now completed. It is now going through inter-ministerial consultation, and it'll go for Space Commission. We will have Cabinet approval soon.

Setting up of incubators and promotion of start-ups

We have created IN-SPACe, which is going to be a regulator and a promoter. The regulation function is for all those who want to work in space sector. They will be regulated by whatever application they put up, and the license will be given. Like building launch vehicles, operating satellites, having space assets, conducting experiments.

Second role is that of a promoter. Promotion includes industries who are willing to come and start up ecosystems. Already, some area in Ahmedabad is built and is available to set up such an ecosystem. This will be replicated across various places in the country — wherever the investment is possible. Investment is possible from private enterprises as well. This is also mandated to IN-SPACe.

New Space India Limited, is going to be the operator of operational systems. For example, if you put a satellite for communication or remote sensing, they will continue to own these assets and operate them. They can build launch vehicles or order new satellite for commercial purpose. This activity has already started.

ISRO will be the technology holder whatever is required for governmental strategic users will be done by ISRO. They'll develop new technologies as needed, as found fit to be developed. Private enterprises can also develop technologies. ISRO will handhold to create a better space ecosystem in this country. So, this is the new mandate.

Financial support to start-ups

We have to definitely propose such an idea, because some of the entities have been asking, "Yes, we need seed money for handling.” There are big business houses that are willing to fund these start-ups. It's not the funding that is actually limiting, it is idea that has been limiting us. So, if there is a good idea, there is always good money available.

On roadmap for human space program

The first step is having an ability to take a man to space and bring him back safely. This is called Gaganyaan project. And for that, we have already got funding. Only one mission is defined.

Once we are successful in accomplishing it, definitely the next phase of human space flight program could be unveiled at an appropriate time. Currently, we are not into a long-term definition, like building a space station or every day somebody will go to moon.

India’s stand on moon treaty

We are a signatory to the moon treaty – the pact governing the activities of states on the earth’s natural satellite. To that extent, we are honoring it, but then they are talking about extraction, mining, and setting up a colony.

We are a country who has accomplished a mission to the moon. We also have a due claim on the moon. It depends on what our priorities are, and how much funding we will get, what is the national demand on us. These things which we have to discuss in a policy level, political level. It's not within my purview at this moment to answer.

Contribution of India’s space programme to country’s GDP

This is a very interesting question. I had a humanities department in the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology. I was a director for a short duration. I asked the faculty, "Why don't you do a study on the size of space economy in India, and how we contributed to this?" Two of the faculty members are working with a scientist of ISRO to come out with a very clear program. The National Institute of Advance Studies is also part of it. I believe in another one year or so we will have some report.