By Narayan Bhargava
As India navigates through the Amrit Kaal, the next twenty-five years will be of prime importance for the country to transition as a developed nation. Our nation’s space power would prove to be one of the most important building blocks. With a unique confluence of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) talent, cost-competitive technology development, space missions and conducive policies, India is well-positioned to leverage its space sector for growth. Prime Minister Modi’s clarion call to build a space station by 2035 and landing of an Indian on Moon by 2040, ushers in a new era for the Indian space industry.
India’s space legacy is undeniably impressive, marked by numerous achievements and international acclaim. This legacy has not only filled our nation with pride but has also inspired the youth to aim higher in the realm of space education. India’s recent triumph in launching Chandrayaan 3 has garnered substantial global recognition. This accomplishment symbolizes a pivotal moment in India’s scientific and technological journey, solidifying our position in the field of space exploration. It’s more than a mere milestone; it signifies India’s unwavering dedication to advancing its space program, aiming to establish itself as a leading player in deep space exploration and ultimately contribute to humanity’s dream of becoming an inter-planetary civilization.
The upcoming decade holds the promise of a significant boom in the space industry. This growth will be driven by collaborative efforts between the public and private sectors, a thriving startup ecosystem, and an increased role of the private sector in space commercialization and deep space exploration. The triad of academia, industry, and government will increasingly work together with innovative engagement models. The Indian Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe), the nation’s space regulatory body, projects that the Indian space economy will reach approximately $44 billion, with an anticipated $11 billion in exports over the next decade. This would constitute an 8% share of the global space industry, a significant jump from the current 2%. To support this accelerated growth, India will require millions of highly skilled professionals, including scientists, engineers, astronomers, astronauts, astrophysicists, and space entrepreneurs, who will collectively expand the horizons of the Indian space industry.
However, it’s essential to acknowledge that Indian schools currently lack a space education curriculum tailored to young minds. The need for a space education revolution in Indian schools is more pressing than ever. Space education is of paramount importance, not only for nurturing the next generation of scientists and engineers but also for instilling critical thinking, multi-disciplinary collaboration, application oriented mindset, a global perspective, and a profound understanding of our planet’s place in the universe. Given India’s rich history of space exploration, our nation has a unique opportunity to harness the passion and curiosity surrounding this field to shape the future of education.
The Significance of Space Education extends beyond conventional classrooms and textbooks, offering activity-based experiential learning for maximizing the learning outcomes. In an era increasingly dominated by technology, space education cultivates invaluable skills essential for the modern workforce. Problem-solving, innovation, teamwork, and adaptability are among the key attributes nurtured by space education. Additionally, it’s important to recognize that space education equips students with knowledge and skills relevant to a wide array of careers in the fields of oceanography, geology, deep space expeditions, commercial LEO (low earth orbit) satellites, material science, space tourism etc. Space education also fosters a global perspective, imparting knowledge about Earth’s fragility and the importance of international cooperation in space exploration. In an increasingly interconnected and interdependent world, understanding the global context is vital, and space education inherently provides this perspective. Students who grasp space sciences and exploration are more likely to become global citizens, aware of the interconnectedness of all life systems on Earth. Hence, developing a long term space education program is important to develop a career path for students.
The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has played a pivotal role in the triumph of our space missions. Notably, ISRO has actively collaborated with educational institutions, reaching out to schools and colleges to promote space education. The IIRS-ISRO Outreach Program is specifically designed to enhance the academic and user segments in Space Technology & its Applications through online learning platforms.
Now, it’s imperative for the Indian education system to proactively incorporate space education into their curricula starting from the 7th grade. This transition will require active participation from potential investors and private entities in India’s space technology sector to support these educational initiatives. A collaborative effort between the government, private enterprises, and esteemed space organizations like ISRO is essential to establish long-term programs, scholarships, and initiatives that bolster space education.
Furthermore, corporate CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) funding holds significant potential to accelerate space education in India. By channeling corporate CSR funds and forging partnerships, India can ignite the imaginations of the upcoming generation, strengthen its position in the realms of space science and technology, stimulate innovation, and foster economic growth.
India stands at a remarkable juncture to lead in space education, cultivating a highly skilled workforce capable of solving intricate global challenges and pushing the boundaries of science and technology, ultimately contributing to the multi-trillion-dollar global space economy.
(The author is Narayan Bhargava, Founder and Managing Director, Narayan Bhargava Group, and the views expressed in this article are his own)
