The Revolution of India's Space-Tech Sector

India’s Growing Space-Tech Revolution: The Rise of Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellites

India is witnessing a remarkable rise in its space-tech sector, particularly in the development and deployment of Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites. This growth is driven by increasing demand for real-time, high-resolution imagery and low-latency communications across sectors such as agriculture, disaster management, logistics, infrastructure, and insurance.

1. What are LEO Satellites?

Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites operate at altitudes between 160 km and 2,000 km above Earth’s surface. They:

• Orbit the Earth approximately every 90 to 120 minutes.
• Offer lower latency and faster communication capabilities.
• Provide clearer, high-resolution imaging due to proximity to the Earth.
• Require less energy for launch and operation, making them cost-efficient.

2. Why is the Demand for LEO Satellites Increasing?

Several factors have accelerated the expansion of LEO satellite activity in India:

• Falling Launch Costs: Affordable options from ISRO and private launch providers have reduced financial barriers.
• Miniaturisation of Hardware: Smaller, lighter satellites can now perform complex and advanced functions.
• Policy Support: Reforms such as the creation of IN-SPACe have opened the sector to private participation.
• Real-Time Applications: Beyond defence and research, businesses now rely on satellite data for everyday decision-making.

3. Key Sectors Benefiting from LEO Satellites

• Agriculture: Crop health monitoring, soil analysis, and yield forecasting.
• Oil & Gas: Infrastructure mapping and real-time pipeline monitoring.
• Disaster Response: Immediate damage assessment and rescue coordination.
• Insurance: Risk mapping and verification of claims post-disasters.
• Urban Planning: Land-use analysis and smart city development using high-resolution imagery.

4. Government Initiatives Supporting Growth

• IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center): Facilitates approvals and partnerships for private space missions.
• Policy Reforms: Ensure transparency in data usage, edge computing, and satellite communication permissions.

5. Role of Indian Start-Ups in the LEO Boom

Indian start-ups are rapidly innovating in the LEO domain, leading the global competition:

• Agnikul Cosmos: Specialises in small launch vehicles to shorten turnaround times for missions.
• SatSure & KaleidEO: Develop high-resolution, multispectral payloads integrated with edge computing.
• GalaxEye: Creates hybrid satellites that combine radar and optical sensors to ensure consistent imaging regardless of weather.

Emerging Business Models:
• EO-IaaS (Earth Observation Infrastructure-as-a-Service): Combines satellite manufacturing, data analytics, and service delivery into one integrated platform.

6. Space Economy Outlook

India’s space economy was valued at $8.4 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow to $44 billion by 2033, potentially capturing 8% of the global market. The Low-Earth Orbit segment is set to be a key driver of this growth, thanks to its affordability, scalability, and expanding real-world applications.