Takshashila Discussion Document - Examining the Opportunities and Challenges for India’s Human Spaceflight Programme

Executive Summary

India’s human spaceflight programme formally took shape in August 2018 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the Gaganyaan programme. The natural next step for India is to pursue long-term human habitation in low-Earth orbit (LEO) by constructing a space station.

This document examines the collaborative potential between the Quad countries by comparing the countries’ space policy priorities, technological capabilities and the degree of past cooperation. The document also posits that commercial entities will play a significant role in the race to build space stations.

The analysis points to a strong collaborative potential between India, Japan and Australia. In this arrangement, India and Japan can be symmetric partners. Australia, in this case, can contribute to the project as a minor partner.

The potential for collaboration with the US is low, as it prioritises its space policy to reach the Moon and beyond. However, India might collaborate with private players in the US who are playing a prominent role in developing space stations.

India can also collaborate with other partners, such as European spacefaring countries. On the other hand, India might build a space station indigenously without the help of foreign partners. This option, however, would be very expensive and impose opportunity costs on the country.

Finally, India can forgo the construction of a space station entirely. In this case, India’s human spaceflight programme can continue with India purchasing services from other entities.

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