Booming
The recent privatisation and commercialisation of space technology have opened new career avenues for those interested in space science and related fields.“The space and satellite technology in India has existed for over six decades. India has launched satellites at comparatively cheaper rates, which recognised the country as a prominent space power. Seeing the potential that the space industry has, the government has encouraged the participation of private players in the space sector as well. This participation will create a thriving ecosystem for innovation and collaboration in India,” says Prof Balakista Reddy, dean, School of Law, Mahindra University & former director, Centre for Aerospace & Defense Laws, NALSAR.
Valued at $ 9.6 billion in 2020, accounting for approximately 2% of the global market share, India’s space sector is poised to become a hub for space commerce across various industries. The size of the sector is expected to reach $13 billion by 2025, and by 2030, the country aims to capture a share of close to 10 % of the global space economy, according to the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
“The rise of private space technology companies and increasing interest in space exploration has created a demand for skilled professionals in space engineering and related fields. These professionals are needed to design and develop technologies for satellite communication, earth observation, space tourism, and other space-related endeavours,” says Hima Bindu, head, Department of Aerospace Engineering, School of Technology, GITAM Hyderabad.
The recent advances in technology have significantly enhanced our ability to collect and analyse data from remote sensing platforms, such as satellites and drones. “These space technologies have become accessible and affordable, leading to an increased demand for professionals with the skills to utilise and interpret the data obtained from these sources,” adds Bindu.
Meeting the demand
Space technology refers to space engineering, wherein Aerospace and Avionics are two of the most important domains that govern space technology in addition to other domains like Astronomy and other technology-related fields. “Institutes such as IITs, IISc and IIST, Noida, are offering courses and research options in this field. New companies in this sector are always in demand from the companies involved in this sector,” says Chinmay Manoj Shirodkar, thermal & ballistics engineer, Skyroot Aerospace, Hyderabad.
Some government and private institutions in India, offer a four-year bachelor’s course in Aerospace Engineering at the undergraduate level. The Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) Trivandrum which is incubated by the ISRO also offers an additional four-year bachelor’s course in Avionics in addition to Aerospace. “There are master’s and PhD level courses also available in the specific specialisations within the Aerospace and Avionics domains at these institutes, which help students develop a deeper insight about that specialisation and contribute through research,” adds Shirodkar.
Telecommunication is supported by satellites and it requires exploring the number of satellites in orbit. Various orbits in space around the earth are already getting populated for this reason and will continue to rise. “There will be a need to clear these orbits from time to time by de-orbiting them and that requires developing related technologies. Further, the defence industry requires extensive research to protect the country and all these technological advancements will be fulfilled only with extensive research in the field of space technology,” says Manoranjan Sinha, head, Aerospace Engineering, IIT Kharagpur.
Boosting research and development in space technology and related fields will demand more space technology institutes where students can be trained. “Keeping in view the increasing demand and dependency on space technologies, there is an urgent need to boost education in this field. As of now, only 50 government and private players are operational, but more institutes are expected to emerge in the coming 10 years,” Sinha adds.
Skilling for increased opportunities
The entry of private players in the industry has prominently increased opportunities for skilled professionals. India is now well equipped to spearhead advancements in space exploration, satellite technology and space-based applications. The private sector positions the nation as a strong contender to take a leading role in the global space Industry. “ISRO has been creating awareness about space technology and related sectors. It is offering short-term courses, certificate and diploma courses. Remote sensing is one of the most prominent technologies, needed in sectors including agriculture, environmental monitoring, urban planning, disaster management, natural resource exploration and more,” says Reddy.
To be a working professional in the space sector, one needs to have an Engineering background and should have a strong grip on subjects such as Mathematics and Physics. “The private companies in the space sector require professionals from fields such as management, legal, commerce and more but most importantly they hire professionals well trained in space technology,” adds Reddy.
The world is witnessing a growing global focus on environmental conservation and sustainable development. “There is a heightened need for professionals who can use remote sensing to monitor and assess changes in the environment, such as deforestation, climate change, and natural disasters. This has increased the need for education and training in fields related to environmental monitoring and management,” says Bindu.
Further, the increasing demand for courses in remote sensing, space engineering, and related disciplines can be attributed to various factors such as the convergence of technological advancements, expanding applications, environmental concerns, commercial interests in space, and government investments in these areas. “As a result, educational institutions are responding to this demand by offering specialised courses and programmes to prepare students for careers in these rapidly evolving and critical fields,” adds Bindu.