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India’s successful landing of the Chandrayaan-3 mission on the moon’s South Pole has not only ignited the nation’s enthusiasm for space exploration but also sparked a sense of the military potential that lies within these achievements. The Ministry of Defence in New Delhi’s South Block may have been contemplating the possibilities of India’s military capabilities as the country celebrated its space success.

The interconnection between space and military technologies has long been acknowledged by experts. Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, known as India’s “missile man” and former President, once stated that satellite launch vehicles (SLVs) and missiles are like first cousins, originating from the same roots of rocketry.

India’s journey into space began in 1962 when the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR) established the Equatorial Rocket Launching Station in Thumba. This humble church in a fishing village became the birthplace of India’s rocket research.

The development of space launch vehicles (SLVs) and missiles in India has been parallel yet separate. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) oversees the missile programs, while the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) focuses on SLVs and rockets. However, the two fields constantly benefit from technological advancements in each other.

India’s space program has progressed from sounding rockets to the present Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), and Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III (LVM3). These vehicles have successfully launched satellites for various countries, contributing to the growth of India’s missile systems.

India is also developing other launch vehicles like the Human Rated Launch Vehicle (HRLV), Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV), Reusable Launch Vehicle-Technology Demonstrator (RLV-TD), and the Scramjet Engine TD. The HRLV will be crucial for the upcoming ‘Gaganyaan’ mission, India’s first human spaceflight mission.

The significance of space-based capabilities in modern warfare was evident during the Gulf War of 1991. The United States and its coalition extensively utilized satellite-based communications, GPS, and satellite surveillance to dominate the conflict. The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict also highlights the importance of satellite-based communications and the potential vulnerabilities they create.

India’s space program has not only accelerated scientific advancements but also contributed to the development of its missile systems. The success of Chandrayaan-3 further emphasizes the potential military applications of India’s space achievements.

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