ISRO is to launch 100-150 satellites over three years to boost border security and coastal monitoring to make up for the existing shortage of just 55 satellites. ISRO carried out the second satellite docking as part of its SpaDeX missions successfully, joining ranks with the US, Russia, and China in successfully completing the exercise.
Narayanan, who is also the Secretary of the Department of Space, stated it was due to these reasons that Prime Minister Narendra Modi brought in reforms in the space sector that permit private players to participate in the construction of rockets and satellites.
"We require a lot of satellites to defend our borders. We have 55 satellites functioning, and it is not enough to watch the border and coastal belt. For that, we require additional satellites." With space sector reforms, we can induce private players to manufacture satellites, and we can handhold them. In three years, we will be adding another 100-150 satellites. With all those satellites, we can keep a complete eye over the country," he stated at an event here.
He was answering a question on what measures that can be taken by ISRO following the terrorist attack in Kashmir's Pahalgam in which 26 lives were lost.
Narayanan was in town at the launch of the "AI-Powered Robotic Compatible O-ARM with Stealth Navigation System" by city-based health care provider Kauvery Hospital.
Describing some of the works done by the space agency, he added that ISRO had successfully carried out the second docking of satellites as part of its SpaDeX missions on Monday.
India was among the four countries to achieve it, he added. They are the US, Russia, and China.
ISRO had sent the PSLV-C60/Space Docking Experiment mission on December 30, 2024. Subsequently, the satellites were successfully docked on January 16 for the first time and successfully undocked on March 13, he added. The second docking was conducted last week.
In addition, Narayanan added, scientists were working on creating a satellite to research climate change that would be of use mainly to the G20 nations.
Approximately 50 percent of the payload would be constructed by India, and the rest would be shared by the G20 countries," he stated without explaining.
Kauvery Hospital co-founder Dr. Aravindan Selvaraj, unveiling the AI-enabled robotic-compatible technology treatment for complex brain and spine surgeries, said it was an inexpensive treatment. AI can be used to store details of patients, and surgeries can be conducted 'effectively.'
India's aggressive drive for national security and technological prowess. ISRO's satellite expansion plans, bankrolled by private sector participation, hold out the promise of upgraded border monitoring.
At the same time, their successful docking of satellites reflects high-end space capability, putting India in the world's top tier. Moreover, AI's infusion into healthcare delivers more affordable and efficient surgical interventions, reflecting innovation across industries.
Reforms in India's space industry, increasing satellite count through private entrants, boost national security. ISRO's docking achievement exhibits sophisticated capabilities. AI in medical science holds the promise of affordable, efficient surgery, indicating multi-sector advancement.