Shailesh Nayak joined Indian Space Research Organisation five decades ago and has led many national programs. A former secretary of the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences, he will be awarded the Brock Gold Medal, instituted by the International Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing next month, for the outstanding evolution of remote sensing and space sciences. He will be the second Indian scientist to receive it after K Kasturrangan (2004). A lifetime trustee of the India International Centre, Delhi, Nayak spoke about India’s space future. Excerpts:
How has the field of remote sensing progressed in the last 50 years?
In 1969, Vikram Sarabhai unveiled his vision for remote sensing in his presidential address at the Indian Geophysical Union. It’s amazing how he thought of everything from agriculture to fishing to mineral exploration in other areas and what we should do with what kind of satellite. When we look back, we see, starting with agriculture, drought, fisheries, water resources, glaciers, oceans and even a new field like archaeology, India has fared well in terms of remote sensing applications. We are the leaders in the application of satellite data. This is true not only in terms of resources, environment or disaster, but also in how it has helped improve people’s social life and household economy.
Going forward, what kind of satellites should ISRO focus on and what will private players do?
Private players are looking at satellites that have commercial value. They focus on what they can sell – either information or data. If you look at Planet Labs or others, they mostly focus on high-resolution data, which has a lot of commercial markets. I think ISRO will continue to support areas like oceans and atmosphere. Such data is mostly freely given around the world because it helps develop social applications. It’s also possible that one day those satellites could be built and launched by private players, and the government could buy the data from them.
ISRO will continue to focus on planetary research and INSAT type satellites which are too complex for the private sector now. But in the future, such satellites may be made by private players, such as in the United States. In the future, satellites should be seen as infrastructure, just like the road or railway networks that the private sector builds. Who is developing such infrastructure is not relevant. The question is how best we can use it for the public good.
As private players have entered the space sector in India, should they be given a longer leash?
We have to give them some time because some of these technologies are complex and involve a lot of risk. In India after 50 satellite launches, there are still consecutive PSLV failures. SpaceX and ESA also have similar failures. In the space business, failure is part of the system and risk must be taken. We need an insurance system to handle such risks. Government satellites and launch vehicles are not assured, but private players will need that ecosystem. The government is building such an ecosystem to provide support for launch vehicles or satellites. Otherwise, start-up companies cannot take on the risk of developing large satellites.
Is a scheme being developed to insure private companies in the space business?
I understand that a scheme is being worked out to provide launch support. It should be there. Also, once it becomes an industry, there should be a regular production system. After one satellite, we can’t say we don’t need more. People and objects must remain engaged. This can happen when satellites become part of us.
Is it happening?
This is happening especially in communication, which is completely commercialized. Until a few months ago Jio and many others were hiring AsiaSat. Now they have moved to Indian satellites. Starlink came into low orbit so they could have factory-like production.
How will the second port of departure, which is coming up in Tamil Nadu, be used?
It is up to private players to launch satellites on demand. The technology to manufacture the small satellite launch vehicle required for such satellites has been transferred to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and should be ready in a few years.
Is there any progress in drafting the long-debated space law?
Consultations are ongoing with various departments because apart from the Ministry of Justice, the sector includes the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs due to the security angle and ISRO. We need a space law because we have a policy and there are private players. If there are certain rules that are not followed or broken and you want to take them to court, there must be a law. Since there aren’t many private players yet, if the legislation comes through in a couple of years, it should be fine.
