India’s Space Vision: How ISRO’s Global Missions Strengthen India’s Role as ‘Vishwa Bandhu’ in Science

Beyond satellites and rockets, India’s space vision embodies the country’s goal of becoming a Vishwa Bandhu, or reliable international partner. India has established itself at the nexus of science, diplomacy, and sustainable development thanks to the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), which is in charge of groundbreaking missions like Chandrayaan, Mangalyaan, Aditya-L1, and NISAR. ISRO’s projects represent India’s role in forming a future where technology, international cooperation, and inclusive growth converge, from facilitating space-based navigation, climate monitoring, and disaster management to promoting international collaborations with NASA, ESA, and JAXA. In addition to accelerating its own development at home, India makes a significant contribution to the global commons by democratizing space data and guaranteeing cost-effective innovation.

India’s ‘Vishwabandhu’ due to the space sector

NISAR is known as “India’s scientific handshake with the world” since it complies with international docking and interoperability standards, signifying international cooperation.

• Open Data Access: Data democratization promotes international research, particularly in underdeveloped countries.
• Promotes agricultural, climate, hazard monitoring, and disaster management. India is recognized as a knowledge provider to shared scientific resources through the Global Commons.
• strengthens India’s position in capacity building, technology transfer, and sustainable growth (e.g. NAVIC). ISRO’s low-cost innovations demonstrate India’s capacity to develop and manage intricate long-duration space systems.

Significant Space Projects

• The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission is an Earth observation effort that tracks glaciers, monitors the climate, aids in agriculture, and manages disasters.
• By 2035, India intends to launch its own orbiting space station, known as the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS).
• The goal of the crewed lunar mission is to send an Indian astronaut to the moon by 2040.
• Sending a human crew to Low Earth Orbit is the goal of the Gaganyaan Program. The Vyommitra humanoid mission and a crucial test flight of the Crew Escape System are scheduled for the same time.

Mains: 

Question: India’s space journey has evolved from a tool of national development to an instrument of global partnership. Discuss how India’s space sector contributes to its vision of being a ‘Vishwa Bandhu’ in the collective good of humanity.

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MCQs:

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Question: With reference to India’s vision of becoming a ‘Vishwa Bandhu’ through space initiatives, consider the following statements:

1. The NASA–ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission aims to strengthen global capacity for disaster management and climate monitoring.
2. India’s Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) is targeted to be established by 2040.
3. The Gaganyaan program involves sending an Indian crew to Low Earth Orbit and testing an indigenous Crew Escape System.

Which of the above statements are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only

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