India is working on a big and important space project. This new mission will help protect the country from being secretly watched by other nations.
A Major Step to Protect Space and Security
The Ministry of Defense has started work on a satellite system that will spot any foreign espionage from space. This means that if other countries try to spy on India using satellites, this new system will help detect it.
The project is expected to be ready by the end of 2026. It will not be a single satellite, but a group of satellites working together. This group is called a “constellation.” These satellites will keep an eye on the sky and send back information about any suspicious movements or espionage efforts aimed at India.
The project will cost about ₹150 crore every year. All the parts of this system — from making the satellites to setting up ground stations that receive the information — will be built in India. This is a big move to make sure the country’s defense systems are fully under its own control.
The main office to manage and operate this satellite system will be in Bengaluru. It will act as the brain of the whole operation, where technical experts will monitor everything that the satellites observe. This control center will also be connected to many ground stations spread across India. These stations will receive the data from the satellites and help keep a watchful eye on any foreign espionage activity.
How It Will Work Differently from Existing Systems
India already has a system called NETRA that watches space to avoid crashes with space junk. NETRA is good at spotting debris and satellites moving around in space. But this new satellite project is made specially for defense. Its job is not to prevent accidents but to find out if someone is trying to espionage from space.
Unlike older systems, the new satellites will talk to each other directly. They will also share information with different ground stations. This makes the system faster and more efficient. Even if one station is not working, the others can still receive the data. This kind of communication system helps in making sure no important information is missed.
The satellites will be made with a special focus on security. They will carry advanced tools that can detect and track foreign satellites. If another country tries espionage at India’s military areas or important locations using their satellites, this new system will be able to find out quickly.
To make the project strong and reliable, there are plans to work closely with India’s main space agency. This will help match the work of civilian and defense space teams, so they don’t interfere with each other and can support one another when needed.
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Boost for Indian Space Startups
A private space startup from Bengaluru has been chosen to lead this defense project. This is a sign that the Indian government now trusts its local space companies with very important work. The startup has also expanded its presence in the United States to work on defense-related projects there.
This new contract is one of the biggest given to a private space company by the Indian government. It shows that India wants to depend more on its own companies for space and defense work, rather than buying services or equipment from outside which are probe to espionage activities.
The Defense Ministry and the Department of Science and Technology are also asking other space companies in India to speed up their work on similar projects. One such project is called SBS-3, which is also about watching the skies to improve national security.
Many different parts of the government are now being asked to work with Indian space companies. This shows a clear pattern: the country is putting a lot of faith in its own talent and technology to guard its borders and skies. The idea is to build strong systems that are made in India and operated by Indian experts.
The project also highlights how much India’s private space sector has grown in the past few years. These companies are now not only working for India but are also making a mark in international defense projects. From satellite building to data handling, they are becoming key players in global space and defense activities.
By developing this new satellite surveillance network, India is sending a clear message. The country is ready to use advanced space technology to keep a watch on who is watching them. This new system will help protect national secrets, military zones, and other important areas from being quietly monitored by foreign powers.
