India is on its way to becoming the preferred destination for satellite launches, with the aim of conducting a launch every week. Sunil Bharti Mittal, Founder and Chairman of Bharti Enterprises, envisions India as a dominant player in the global space sector. As Russia’s space agency, ROSCOSMOS, temporarily suspends its launch activities due to the conflict in Ukraine, India sees this as an opportunity to fill the void with its technological advancements and cost-effective solutions.
Mittal advocates for a significant escalation in India’s satellite launch frequency, targeting 52 launches annually. India has already demonstrated its capabilities in space technology by achieving impressive feats at a fraction of the cost incurred by other nations. The recent successful Chandrayaan-3 mission showcased India’s prowess and sparked conversations globally about its growing space capabilities. Mittal’s company, OneWeb, backed by Bharti Enterprises, is at the forefront of the space race, competing closely with Elon Musk’s Starlink.
Both companies aim to revolutionize connectivity through networks of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites. OneWeb plans to roll out its broadband services in India by the end of November, with 72 satellites already deployed through launches facilitated by ISRO. Mittal believes that India should expand its horizons and undertake more ambitious missions to the Moon and Mars. He emphasizes India’s crucial role in the international space community and envisions deeper collaboration with the International Space Station.
With the support of visionaries like Sunil Bharti Mittal, India is set to carve out a significant niche in the space sector. India offers high-tech solutions at competitive prices, potentially making it the satellite launch destination of choice for nations worldwide. This ambitious endeavor aligns with India’s goal of further exploring space and participating meaningfully in global space initiatives.