FAST READ
- India's Space-Based Surveillance Phase-III programme envisages a 52-satellite constellation for persistent strategic surveillance.
- Publicly reported programme cost is about Rs 26,968 crore, with satellites planned across LEO and geosynchronous orbits.
- New India-France private-sector contracts are supporting communication, navigation, optical-payload and ground-segment capabilities for the programme.
WHY IN NEWS
- Fresh India-France commercial agreements highlighted the SBS-III programme as India expands sovereign space-based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability.
- The programme links defence preparedness with private-sector participation, dual-use space technology and maritime-domain awareness.
TOP DATA & FACTS
- SBS-III envisages 52 satellites.
- Publicly reported programme cost: about Rs 26,968 crore.
- Earlier programme allocation envisaged 21 satellites associated with ISRO and 31 with private industry.
- Satellites are planned across Low Earth Orbit and geosynchronous-orbit classes.
- Deployment has been reported for the 2027-2030 period.
- Safran Space signed contracts worth more than EUR5 million with India's Dhruva Space.
- The contracts cover communication systems, inertial-navigation units, optical payloads and ground stations.
- ISR stands for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance.
- Persistent ISR can monitor infrastructure, force movement and maritime activity over time.
- LEO satellites generally offer lower latency and higher spatial detail but require constellations for persistence.
- Geosynchronous platforms can maintain long-duration visibility over broad regions.
- Space-based surveillance complements aircraft, UAVs, radars and maritime sensors.
- Military satellites are inherently dual-use because imaging and communication capabilities can support civilian applications.
- India's private space ecosystem has expanded after reforms allowing greater non-government participation.
PRELIMS
- LEO is much closer to Earth than geostationary orbit.
- A geostationary satellite appears fixed relative to a point on the equator when placed in the correct circular equatorial orbit.
- ISR is broader than imaging alone and includes collection, processing and dissemination of operational information.
- ISR stands for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance.