# Global Power Dynamics in the Contemporary Space System
## 4 System Actors--Space Powers
### Major Space Actors
#### 4.2.4 Republic of India  
The origins of India's space program date back to 1962, a mere 15 years after the nation's independence from the United Kingdom. The Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR) was established in 1962 to organize a national space program. This committee would later evolve into the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) in 1969. Notwithstanding India's status as a nuclear power since 1974, its space program has maintained a remarkable peaceful orientation, with a focus on remote sensing, weather, and communication satellites [51]. During the 20 th century, the primary focus of investment in outer space activities was to harness space technology for national development. India has achieved notable milestones among developing nations, including the development of two indigenous launch systems and the construction of satellite constellations for a variety of applications. However, India modified its space policy and strategy at the end of the Cold War, making a strategic reorientation [26] (p. 120). China's initiatives in space exploration, notably its human spaceflight programs, alerted India to the potential consequences of delaying the development of its own space programs. Consequently, India recalibrated its space strategy, shifting its focus to compete with its regional rivals, bolster national security, and establish an international reputation. In the context of the 21 st century, India has rapidly advanced its space program, developing an extensive, diverse, and comprehensive set of initiatives. In 2003, the Indian Prime Minister, [PERSON], challenged the nation's scientific community to achieve the ambitious goal of sending a human being to the Moon. This challenge led to the announcement of the Chandrayaan program, India's ambitious endeavor in lunar exploration. The program involves the development of a variety of spacecraft, including a lunar orbiter, an impactor, a soft lander, and a rover. In October 2008, India successfully launched its inaugural probe to the Moon, designated as Chandrayaan-1, which led to the groundbreaking discovery of water on the lunar surface. Subsequently, in August 2023, the Chandrayaan-3 mission achieved a historic milestone by successfully landing at the Moon's south pole, a feat that no other nation had previously accomplished. This significant achievement showcased India's advanced capabilities in the domains of space exploration and technological innovation. The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has also announced its objective to explore Mars with the Mangalyaan Program. The Mangalyaan 1 (also known as the Mars Orbiter Mission) was launched into Earth's orbit in November 2013 and successfully entered Mars' orbit in September 2014. This achievement positioned India as the fourth nation to reach Mars' orbit, the first Asian nation to do so, and the first to achieve this on its inaugural attempt. In August 2018, India unveiled plans for a human spaceflight program, called Gaganyaan. The program is scheduled to initiate three uncrewed missions in 2025, with the inaugural crewed mission slated for 2026 [52]. Currently, India's space program is a leader among Asian nations, with advanced capabilities in both civil and military space activities [26]. The program's achieve ments include missions to the Moon and Mars, Earth observation and navigation, anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons capability, and the ability to launch satellites into multiple orbits simultaneously [53]. The Indian space program's achievements over the past 20 years have led to heightened expectations for further expansion, as evidenced by the development of a new space diplomacy, security program, and national space industry [54]. Indian diplomatic channels have shifted their focus to leveraging the success of the space program to secure benefits in cooperative agreements with other states [54] (p. 42). The India-U.S. relationship has undergone significant fluctuations throughout the latter half of the 20 th century.