THE GIST of Editorial for UPSC Exams : 26 October 2020 An Indian SpaceX (Financial Express)

An Indian SpaceX (Financial Express)

Mains Paper 3: Science and Tech 
Prelims level: ISRO 
Mains level: Science and Technology- developments and investment opportunities 

Context:

• While Elon Musk’s SpaceX launched 60 new satellites under its Starlink project last week, taking the count to over 500—he plans to launch 30,000 satellites in the future—India has, so far, steadfastly refused to open the sector up to private players. 
• The public sector Isro has done very well in certain aspects of the space game, but with not enough players in the business, India has suffered in many critical ways. 
• Apart from the fact that India does not have enough satellites to meet its needs, satellite technology has improved by leaps and bounds; in the 2000s, satellites had a 2 Gbps capacity while this has risen to 500 Gbps now and, over the next few years, speeds of 1,000-2,000 Gbps are likely. 

Investment require from private players:

• Isro is so short of capacity, a large part of the capacity it offers is rented from overseas private satellite firms. And this shortage is going to get worse with each passing day. 
• Trai data shows that, over just the last five years, data consumption in the country has risen around 100 times, from 0.1 Gb per subscriber per month in March 2015 to 11 Gb in March 2020. 
• Indeed, with better technology, demand will continue to skyrocket; as an example, standard TV uses 400,000 megapixels per frame but this goes up to 2 million for HDTV and to 8 million for 4K TV. 
• While a single transponder can cater to four standard TV channels, it can cater to just one HD channel.
• An even greater problem is that, despite the rapid spread of telecom services—India has a tele-density of 86%—large swathes of the country remain uncovered by genuine broadband. 
• Satellite technology offers a way out since it can offer commercially viable broadband connectivity to even areas that are not densely populated. 

Initiatives taken in the past:

• The Vajpayee government opened up the space sector to private firms way back in 2000, but the guidelines on how to apply were not put out till 2010.
• And when, under these rules, US-headquartered firm Hughes Network System put in an application to build satellites with data speeds which, at that time, were 100 times what India’s conventional satellites offered, no decision was taken; indeed, the proposal has still not been cleared. 
• The new policy now says private operators will be allowed to undertake “design, development and realisation of satellites and associated communication systems.” So, they can either build their satellite or procure satellites to create a satellite system and establish telemetry, tracking and command earth stations and satellite control centre within or outside the country. 
• And to ensure new players have a level playing field, an Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre will be set up as a neutral regulator. 

Conclusion:

• If Isro now focuses primarily on technology transfers and helping build capacity, India can even aim at having its own SpaceX. The last frontier, then, would truly have been breached.

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Prelims Questions:

Q.1) With reference to the Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog (RKA), consider the following statements:
1. It has been constituted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the conservation, protection and development of cows.
2. RKA is high powered permanent body to formulate policy and to provide direction to the implementation of schemes related to cattle so as to give more emphasis on livelihood generation.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: C

Mains Questions:

Q.1) What are major policies require for Isroto tap private sector talent for space taking shape in India? Critically comment.