Tag: The Takshashila Institution

I gave a talk to a small crowd of Takshashila alumni on space technology and policy. A couple of people who could not attend the talk asked for a post for those who could not attend.

I wrote this brief X thread-post about it:

https://twitter.com/pradx/status/1885372822664380742

But, I wanted to write in more detail.

Technology Trends

Technology trends I am seeing:

1. 2025 will be the year of space robotics.
2. We are moving to liquid fuel (including Cryo and Semi-Cryo) engine tech.
3. We need more investments in science.
4. We are building the basics of humans in space experience.

From the space robots demonstrated on the SPADEX and the POEM-4 mission to Vyommitra flying on board some of the first human spaceflight missions, I think this year will be more about space robotics than anything else. ISRO has also been conducting robotics competition.

I think we will slowly begin the move from mostly solid to mostly liquid fuel rocket engines like the US and Russia.

I don’t think we are investing enough in science. The first issues we will face because of this is not able to do cutting edge science in the places we are able to go to on the moon and Mars. We will also not be able to use our capabilities to look for minerals and people for any useful thing.

I think of space right now as only a logistical capability. If you can build trains but cannot use it to move people and resources, it is basically useless. I think we will face a similar roadblock with our space missions if we do not invest now in science.

Policy Trends

We need the Space Activities Bill. We are seeing good people do good work at institutions like ISRO, NSIL, and IN-SPACe. However, this needs to be institutionalized so that the work happens despite the people.

Despite various achievements, we have nascent regulators for a nascent space sector. If we are not careful, regulatory capture can kill the new players. There does not seem to be any legal recourse in case this happens now.