Mumbai: India's ambitions in space have soared as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced plans to launch an impressive fleet of 50 satellites within the coming five years. These satellites will play a crucial role in bolstering the country's geo-intelligence capabilities, encompassing a network of satellites orbiting at various levels. This network aims to monitor troop movements and capture detailed imagery spanning thousands of kilometers, according to ISRO Chairman S Somanath's recent statement.

Speaking at 'Techfest,' an annual event hosted by the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Somanath emphasized that India's existing satellite fleet needs significant expansion to meet the nation's aspirations for a stronger position on the global stage. Referring to defense intelligence gathering satellites as 'spy-sats,' he stressed the need for a substantial increase in India's satellite capacity to about ten times its present volume.

Somanath highlighted the necessity of enhancing satellite capabilities in detecting changes and advocated for a more robust integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and data-driven methodologies to streamline data analysis. The chairman underlined the capability of spacecraft to observe borders and neighboring territories, terming it an immense potential for the nation.

"The power of any nation lies in its ability to comprehend its surroundings. While we have been launching satellites, a shift in perspective is crucial. We must critically reassess our approach," said Somanath.

He disclosed that numerous satellites are currently in the design and configuration phase, with plans to materialize 50 of them over the next five years. These satellites, once launched, will significantly fortify India's geo-intelligence capabilities.

Somanath emphasized the importance of launching satellites across various orbits, ranging from geostationary equatorial orbit (GEO) to lower earth orbit (LEO), stressing the need for critical assessments in different situations. He highlighted the emergence of new domains not only in optical technology but also in synthetic aperture radar (SAR), thermal imaging, and various other technological advancements.

The ISRO chief explained plans for enhanced communication between satellites to enable effective collaboration. This system would allow a satellite detecting an anomaly at a higher orbit to task another satellite in a lower orbit for more detailed analysis, thus providing comprehensive information.

The objective, according to Somanath, is to cover vast territories, including entire borders, within daily imaging cycles, showcasing the tremendous capability India aims to build in the next five years. He reiterated that India's current satellite fleet of 54 falls short and must increase significantly to align with the nation's aspirations for strength and power.

"Our satellite fleet must expand tenfold from its current strength," emphasized Somanath, stressing the urgency and significance of this ambitious satellite deployment program.

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