India's Eyes in the Space: The spy satellites network

SIGNIT or Signal Intelligence is primarily used to intercept signals transmitted from communication systems, radars and other electronic devices. Based on the type of signals received, this is further classified into- Electronic Intelligence (ELINT), Communication Intelligence (COMINT) and Foreign Instrumentation Signals Intelligence (FISINT). So far, India has successfully launched only one ELINT satellite named EMISAT. EMISAT is a satellite built around ISRO’s Mini Satellite-2 bus weighing about 436 kg and is India's first Electronic Surveillance satellite. The rocket PSLV-C45 (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) on its 47th mission launched the device along with 28 foreign nano satellites. This historic mission took place on the 1st of April, 2019 at the second launch pad of Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR, Sriharikota. What makes this launch special, is the collaboration between the top science and the defence agencies of India in the creation of such a device. The EMISAT carries Kautilya, which is a space borne ELINT System involving the development of Electronic Intelligence payload for integration on an indigenous mini satellite. As per the annual reports of 2013-14 of the Ministry of Defence, Kautilya can record and analyze intercepted signals and can create an RF signature of a radar, which would eventually aid in locating and identifying the radar in subsequent encounters. Possessing such technology definitely gives India a strategic edge, given its current geo-political standing with its neighbors.  

Even though EMISAT was a recent step taken in the direction of Electronic Intelligence, India’s attempts to secure its borders with the use of satellite networks were first visible in 2009, with the launch of the first satellite from the RISAT series. The RISAT series is the first satellite imaging mission of ISRO which uses a SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) imager, which is a radar sensor system. It has all weather capability and can increase the rate of data transmission by six folds. The first satellite of the series, RISAT-2 was launched on 20th April, 2009. The spacecraft was built by IAI/MBT (Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd.) based on the TecSAR mini satellite design of IAI. The original role for the first RISAT satellite was to monitor agricultural and weather conditions, however after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, the spacecraft was specially developed to detect terrorist activities. The first model of the series RISAT-1, was due for 2011, but was launched on 26^th April, 2012. It makes use of the similar technology of that of RISAT-2, however, it is a microwave remote sensing satellite. Both these spacecraft are supposedly also used for agriculture, forestry and disaster management support. However, officials at IAI, claim that the technology used in RISAT is for “homeland defence” and “defence intelligence”.

The other two satellites of the RISAT series were launched in 2019, within the span of seven months from one another. In comparison to its previous models, the use of RISAT-2B and RISAT- 2BR1 is not simply limited to disaster management, but also extends to facilitate intelligence for the government. RISAT-2B, which is an X- band microwave Earth Observation satellite, was launched on May 22nd, 2019. It is said that X-band radars are extremely useful for military purposes. On December 11, 2019, RISAT-2BR1 was launched. It is an all-weather reconnaissance satellite. It was launched as part of the 50th PSLV mission. Similar to the other satellites of the RISAT family, RISAT-2BR1 too carries Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) payload. One of the advantages of SAR payloads is that it can make use of microwaves to bounce off the surface of earth and provide detailed images. While optical imaging satellites can only capture coloured images during the day time, SAR can provide higher resolution pictures even during the nighttime and turbulent weather conditions. This gives a strategic advantage to the armed forces while engaging in combat during low light or rough weather conditions. Currently, most nation states are rushing to plant as many SAR satellites in the lower orbits of the earth for better surveillance purposes.

The Microsat series is another range of satellite series which is of tactical importance to India. In comparison to the RISAT, and GISAT series, the Microsat series is relatively new. The first Microsat satellite was launched on 12th January, 2018. As per ISRO’s official website, the Microsat is described as the “technology demonstrator and the forerunner for future satellites of this series”. No other information is provided with respect to its capabilities. However, the Microsat is one of the only two series that contains payloads obtained from DRDO. One year after the launch of the Microsat, Microsat-R was set into the orbit on January 24th, 2019. This time too, ISRO maintained a tight- lipped approach while disclosing the details of the spacecraft. But many sources claim that Microsat-R and its payload were assembled in several DRDO laboratories and that it was meant for military use. Yet, as per ISRO’s official website, Microsat-R simply described it as an imaging satellite. As per open sources, around seven more satellites of the same series will be launched in the near future. But the significance of the Microsat series is not just limited to the accomplishments of DRDO and ISRO, but also extends to the students who contributed to the development of the series. Microsat-R, contained a secondary payload called KalamSat that was built by the students from Space Kidz India located in Chennai. The making of the KalamSat cost USD 1,700. The fact that India encourages student innovations at such national level space programs, enables it to benefit from the new perspectives brought to the table by the youth of the nation.

India's capabilities with regards to its spy satellite networks is not just visible in the number of satellites that ISRO has managed to launch in the past five years alone. By setting up special departments within the government, that are especially dedicated to the space sector, India sends out a clear message that it has started taking its space activities seriously. Soon after conducting the successful A-SAT missile tests, the Indian government announced the setting up of two organizations committed to the development of India's space capabilities. The new agency called the Defence Space Agency (DSA) will comprise the Army, Navy and the Air Force. Additionally, DSA will be further bolstered by a new research organization known as Defence Space Research Agency (DSRA). The formation of these two branches within the research and defence departments of India, sheds light on the ways in which the nation is trying to unearth its hidden potential with regards to space operations.

In an attempt to further improve its space defences, India is also aiming to reduce its dependency on foreign players. So far, Israel and the United States have been a constant aid when it came to developing India's space programs. However, over the past decade, the nation is bringing its indigenous organizations to the forefront. So far, ISRO has put on an excellent show of its abilities to launch and develop advanced satellites in a short period of time. But earlier this year, it was announced that the government will soon open up the space sector to private actors. Talks about the Space Activities bill have been around from 2017, moreover, of late the government seems to be taking a keen interest in passing the bill so as to incorporate both public and private players into the space sector. Apart from legislations, the budget allocated to the Department of Space for the year 2020-21 has seen an increase by 7.5 percent since last year. Such increased investments and executive actions on part of the Indian government clearly indicate that the nation is building up its space defence forces.

India’s steady steps to enhance its space capabilities might have geo-strategic implications. Considering the increasing assertiveness of China in the region and the ensuing border skirmishes between the two nations, India's rapid developments in the space sector seem justified. Even though India is one of the four nations to successfully conduct an ASAT test, it still has a long way to go, when it comes to securing and acquiring intelligence via satellite networks.

Pic Courtesy-ISRO website (https://www.isro.gov.in/)

(The views expressed are personal.)