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Bridging the Civilian-Defence Divide in Space Sector
Context:
India’s ambitious space program has grown remarkably, driving technological innovation, economic opportunities, and scientific exploration.
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- However, as the country’s reliance on space assets increases, critical questions arise: Who protects India’s space assets? Who defends against strategic and tactical threats from orbital and outer space?
- These questions necessitate a reassessment of the current structure of India’s Space Commission, the highest decision-making body for all matters related to space.
Current Structure and Limitations
- Established to guide and oversee the space program, the Space Commission has predominantly civilian representation.
- The inclusion of new members in 2020, such as the Chairman of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) and the National Security Advisor (NSA), expanded its mandate.
- Yet, the Commission remains heavily influenced by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), whose chairman also leads the Commission.
- While ISRO’s role in civilian and commercial space activities is vital, it is not equipped to address defence-related space challenges, as it seeks to avoid association with militarisation.
- This civilian-centric approach excludes key stakeholders like the Defence Space Agency (DSA) and the Integrated Defence Staff (IDS), entities tasked with safeguarding India’s strategic interests in space.
- The absence of defence representation raises concerns about the Commission’s ability to holistically address the country’s comprehensive space security needs.
The Role of Defence in Space
- In 2019, India established the DSA under the IDS, alongside the Defence Cyber Agency and the Armed Forces Special Operations Division.
- Although still in its formative years, the DSA is crucial for defending India’s space assets.
- Its exclusion from the Space Commission leaves a significant gap in strategic planning and decision-making.
The necessity of defence representation becomes even more apparent in light of recent developments:
- Spy Satellite Deployment: In October 2024, the Cabinet Committee on Security approved the third phase of the Space-Based Surveillance Project.
- This phase includes the launch of 52 intelligence satellites, managed by the IDS through the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS).
- Civilian agencies like ISRO are not involved in building these satellites, with the responsibility falling on the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and domestic commercial space players.
- Defence-Driven Space Ecosystem: The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is emerging as a key operator and customer of space assets.
- Initiatives like the Innovation in Defence Excellence (IDEX) scheme and Mission DefSpace Challenge have spurred early-stage space companies, creating a defence-driven ecosystem that operates outside ISRO’s civilian purview.
- Civil-Military Collaboration: The interplay between civilian and military space domains is vital.
- The Indian Navy and Air Force’s involvement in the Human Spaceflight Programme highlights this complementary relationship, which will deepen as projects like Gaganyaan and the Bharatiya Antariksha Station progress.
The Case for Reform
India’s space program has outgrown its earlier structure, where ISRO and the Department of Space operated as sole authorities. With diverse stakeholders, including commercial players and defence agencies, contributing to the ecosystem, the Space Commission must evolve to reflect this reality.
Options for reform include:
- Integrating Defence Representation: Incorporate defence stakeholders like the Chief of Defence Staff and representatives from the DSA into the Space Commission.
- This would ensure that tactical and strategic needs are accounted for in space policymaking.
- Establishing a Separate Defence Space Commission: If integrating defence representation within the existing Commission proves unfeasible, creating a dedicated body for military space activities could address the gap.
- Balancing Civilian and Defence Interests: A restructured Space Commission with equal representation for civilian, commercial, and military stakeholders would align India’s space governance with its multifaceted objectives.
- Space technology is inherently dual-use, serving both civilian and military purposes. As India’s space program continues to expand, its governance structure must adapt to address emerging challenges and opportunities.
