Department of Space
The Department of Space (DoS) is the primary government body responsible for the administration and execution of India’s space programme. It was established in the year 1972 and operates directly under the Prime Minister of India. The policies and guidelines for the department are formulated by the Space Commission. The main goal of the department is to promote the development and application of space science and technology for the socio-economic benefit of the nation.
Objectives and Functions
The department plays a central role in making the country self-reliant in space technology. Its primary functions include:
- Building Satellites: Designing and developing advanced satellites for communication, weather forecasting, and earth observation.
- Launch Vehicles: Developing self-reliant launch capabilities, such as the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), to place satellites into orbit.
- Societal Applications: Using space technology to solve problems in agriculture, disaster management, urban planning, and distance education.
- Space Science and Exploration: Conducting deep-space missions to explore the Moon, Mars, and other celestial bodies to expand scientific knowledge.
Major Organizations under the Department of Space:
The department executes its massive technological and commercial projects through various specialized agencies and autonomous bodies.
- Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO): It is the primary research and development arm of the department. ISRO is responsible for the actual execution of space missions, designing launch vehicles, and building satellite systems.
- Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe): This is a relatively new regulatory body created to promote, guide, and authorize private companies to participate in space activities. It acts as a bridge between ISRO and the private sector.
- NewSpace India Limited (NSIL): It acts as the commercial arm of the department. NSIL focuses on scaling up the participation of Indian industries in high-technology space manufacturing and providing launch services to global customers.
- Antrix Corporation Limited: Another commercial arm of the department, primarily focused on marketing and commercially exploiting space products, technical consultancy, and technology transfer.
Autonomous Research and Educational Institutes
To support continuous learning and specialized scientific studies, the department funds several independent institutions:
- Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad: A premier institute for basic research in space sciences, astronomy, and planetary exploration.
- National Atmospheric Research Laboratory (NARL), Tirupati: Focuses on atmospheric and climate sciences.
- Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), Thiruvananthapuram: A dedicated educational institute established to train young minds and create a highly skilled human resource pool for the country’s space programmes.
Key Focus Areas and Space Systems
The practical applications developed by the department are divided into major satellite systems:
- INSAT and GSAT Systems: A large network of communication satellites that support the country’s television broadcasting, telecommunications, and banking services.
- Earth Observation Satellites (EOS): Formerly known as the IRS system, these satellites provide high-resolution images of the Earth to monitor natural resources, forest cover, and groundwater levels.
- Navigation in Indian Constellation (NavIC): India’s own regional satellite navigation system designed to provide accurate positioning and timing services, similar to the global GPS.
