Sanctions against Russia could provide opportunities for India’s space sector
by Staff Writers
New Delhi (IANS) Mar 14, 2022
India at night from orbit – file image.
Industry experts say US and European economic sanctions against Russia for military action against Ukraine could create economic opportunities for the Indian space sector, rather than burden it with economic costs.
He also felt that to seize the opportunity, India should accelerate its satellite launching capabilities, and announce Productivity Concessions (PLI) schemes for the aerospace sector.
“All countries that are feeling the pinch due to the absence of Russian rockets for launching satellites may consider alternatives. While the bulk of the satellite launch agreement will be taken up by the United States and Europe, there There will be others who may consider other options. India’s neutrality has created a new segment of the market, “Chetnia Gree, founder, DAWON Advisory and Intelligence, told IANS.
He added that the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) should increase its satellite launching capacity as there are no more than two launches every year.
Private rocket companies are also in the process of developing their own small rockets. ISRO should actively hold their hands so that they too can quickly recognize their launch vehicles.
India’s market share in the 60 360 billion global space sector market is negligible.
Industry experts agree that sanctions against Russia will not have a major impact on India.
Space is an important sector and there is a possibility that the United States will ask India to become a party for or against Russia.
So what if the United States and the West add India to the sanctions list because of its relations with Russia?
In the case of satellites, about 60% of the cost components are now imported from Europe.
“India imports memory chips, sensors, on-board processors, relays and other items. We get spare parts from Japan and Singapore. Due to language barriers, spare parts procurement from Russia is low,” said Tapan Misra, co-founder and The Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Cesar Radar Pvt. Ltd., told IANS.
Misra was previously director at ISRO’s Space Applications Center, and Cesar Radar plans to build an X-band artificial aperture radar with a resolution of 0.5 meters.
Another retired senior ISRO official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told IANS: “As a matter of policy, ISRO will have inventory of components for 15 satellites. The level of component inventory will be reduced to 10 satellites. “
The official added that in the last two years, ISRO has not built many satellites and therefore, given its launch record and plans, inventory levels will remain comfortable for a few more years.
However, there are short life items, such as adhesive and soldering paste, that are imported. This requires planning through appropriate supply chain links.
GABBO said, “India has to walk a tightrope to import some rare earth materials and space-grade metals. The Russia-Ukraine war will cool down, but the secondABBO effects of sanctions may take time to subside.” Yes, “said GABBO.
In terms of rockets, India has localized the majority of its rocket-making products – Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) and the upcoming Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV).
“Most of the Russian and European parts and materials for making ISRO rockets are local. The effect of sanctions on India will be minimal. For Skyroot, the effect is zero because the supply chain is mostly inside India. Decades, “Pawan Kumar Chandna, co-founder and CEO, Skyroot Aerospace, told IANS.
Sky Route Aerospace is building small rockets – Vikram 1, 2 and 3 – with different payload capabilities.
But the thing is that the engine designs of Indian rockets are three decades old and there are no plans to build bigger and more numerous engines, as one expert has said.
According to a retired senior official of the Indian Space Agency, ISRO had collaborated with Ukraine on semi-cryogenic engine technology but has not made much progress.
“It remains to be seen what effect war-torn Ukraine will have on India’s semi-cryogenic engine project,” the official said.
Responding to this, a former chairman of ISRO told IANS: “Everything that needs to be obtained from Ukraine for the development of a semi-cryogenic engine has been achieved. The engine is to be tested.”
While India’s manned space mission is closely associated with Russia in training astronauts, providing space suits and more, experts said that India’s changed stature in the international arena could not affect the missions.
“This is the new India, which stands higher in pedestal than ever before. It cannot be twisted. We have to take care of the supply chain and become an octopus in the supply of materials for strategic sectors.” Said.
Gree added that the United States may not oppose India, and the Indo-US NASA-ISRO Artificial Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission may proceed as planned.
“Western restrictions on exports of space components will give India a big boost to innovate. There are lobby bodies that promote imports and stifle local growth. The lobby doesn’t want to, “said one official.
As for the opportunities for the Indian space sector, he said that Russia wanted to get some components from India and therefore the latter could be a trading partner.
Industry officials said ISRO should speed up its SSLV program. The small satellite launch market is growing as 90% of satellite launches are small in recent times.
Likewise, private rocket makers need to be ready and make their vehicles faster.
“The Indian government has to come up with a PLI scheme for the space sector as it has done for semiconductors, electronics and other sectors. The PLI scheme should focus on defense, aerospace and electronics,” Gree said. Gree said.
The government may ask Indian companies, which have signed satellite sourcing agreements with foreign companies, to localize manufacturing.
“Indo-U joint venture OneWeb has not taken advantage of the Indian opportunity. ISRO may offer to launch OneWeb’s satellite with its GSLV rocket,” Gree commented.
Recently, the board of OneWeb – jointly owned by India’s Bharti Global and the UK government – voted to suspend satellite launches from the Baikonur rocket port in Russia.
GABBO suggested that further, the Indian government could ask domestic companies signing satellite service ventures with foreign companies to localize their manufacturing.
The Indian government is focusing on the startup ecosystem for the space sector. He added that once the system is in place, the government may ask the big players to localize their needs.
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