Why in NEWS

India is set to launch its first fully indigenous commercial earth observation (EO) satellite constellation, led by a private consortium under a public-private partnership model. Bengaluru-based PixxelSpace-led consortium has been chosen by the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) to build and operate this constellation, marking a milestone in India’s commercial space capabilities.

Key Terms / Concepts

Term	Explanation
Earth Observation (EO) Satellite	Satellite that gathers information about Earth’s physical, chemical, and biological systems via remote sensing.
Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)	Radar technology capable of capturing high-resolution images regardless of weather or lighting.
Hyper-spectral Satellite	Satellite capturing data across hundreds of narrow spectral bands for detailed analysis.
Analysis Ready Data (ARD)	Processed satellite data ready for immediate analysis without additional preprocessing.
Value-Added Services (VAS)	Customized applications and solutions derived from raw satellite data.
IN-SPACe	Independent nodal agency under the Department of Space to enable and regulate private space sector participation.

About India’s First Private-Led EO Satellite Constellation

Aspect	Details
Lead Agency	PixxelSpace-led consortium
Oversight & Approval	IN-SPACe under Department of Space
Scope	Build, launch, operate satellites; develop ground infrastructure; commercialise data
Scale	12 satellites over five years
Types of Satellites	High-resolution, wide-coverage, SAR, and hyper-spectral
Key Deliverables	ARD and VAS for diverse applications
Strategic Aim	Ensure data sovereignty, reduce dependence on foreign satellite data

Applications of the EO Satellite Constellation

Sector	Use
Climate Change	Monitoring deforestation, ice melt, emissions
Disaster Management	Real-time damage assessment, relief planning
Agriculture	Crop health monitoring, yield forecasting
Infrastructure	Project tracking, land use planning
Marine Surveillance	Monitoring illegal fishing, oil spills
National Security	Border surveillance, threat monitoring
Urban Planning	Smart city development, traffic analysis

Significance

Aspect	Importance
Strategic Independence	Reduces reliance on foreign EO data
Economic Potential	Opens global geospatial intelligence market for Indian companies
Technological Advancement	Boosts private sector capabilities in high-end satellite technologies
Public-Private Model	Strengthens collaboration between ISRO, IN-SPACe, and private players

In a nutshell

Memory Code: SPACe –
Sovereignty in data
Private sector lead
Applications wide
Cutting-edge tech – earth intelligence.

Prelims Practice Questions

1. The primary function of a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite is
   a) Capturing images in visible light only
   b) Obtaining high-resolution images in all weather and lighting conditions
   c) Measuring atmospheric gases
   d) Tracking space debris
2. Which of the following agencies regulates private sector participation in India’s space sector?
   a) DRDO
   b) IN-SPACe
   c) ISRO
   d) Antrix Corporation
3. Hyper-spectral satellites are primarily used for
   a) Capturing images only in the infrared range
   b) Measuring magnetic fields of Earth
   c) Capturing data across hundreds of narrow spectral bands for detailed analysis
   d) Monitoring asteroids

Prelims Answers & Explanations

Qn	Ans	Explanation
1	b	SAR uses radar to capture high-resolution images in all weather and lighting conditions.
2	b	IN-SPACe is the nodal agency for regulating private space sector participation.
3	c	Hyper-spectral imaging captures data across numerous narrow spectral bands for detailed analysis.