Indian Defense
ISRO Steadily Leveraging Artificial Intelligence And Machine Learning In Space Domain: Union Minister
An illustration of ISRO’s Lunar lander / Crew Module which is proposed to be launched in 2040
Over the last three years, ISRO has been steadily leveraging Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Space domain, says Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh
AI and ML solutions are being developed for Launch Vehicles, Spacecraft Operations, Big Data Analytics, Space Robotics, Space Traffic Management, among others: Dr Jitendra Singh
Over the last three years, ISRO has been steadily leveraging Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Space domain, adapting with fast-paced technological developments in these areas, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said today. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning solutions are being developed for Launch Vehicles, Spacecraft Operations, Big Data Analytics, Space Robotics, Space Traffic Management, among others, he said.
The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, said this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, the projects and programmes in the domains of Artificial Intelligence being undertaken by Department of Space are at different stages of feasibility studies and implementation. Major ones include –
Launch vehicle and spacecrafts mission trajectory design and autonomous operations;
Launch vehicle and satellites health monitoring and prediction from the telemetry data;
Satellite Data Processing for Resource mapping, weather prediction, disaster prediction, geo-intelligence (object and change detection), Precision agriculture, Agroforestry etc.
Humanoid robots and chatbots
Space Robotics and smart manufacturing in space
Dr Jitendra Singh said, collaborative efforts between ISRO and Institutions like IITs, IISc are involved in development of a few niche AI applications.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, the development and implementation of Artificial Intelligence solutions are being incorporated in various ongoing projects & programmes of ISRO, based on technical feasibility and mission objectives. The costing of these AI solutions is subsumed within the overall funds allocated to the respective projects/programmes. Major ones include the Gaganyaan Program, recently accomplished Chandrayaan -3 mission, Operational Launch vehicle and Spacecraft programmes, Earth Observation data analysis, etc.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, the major achievements and outcomes of Artificial Intelligence in terms of enhancing Space exploration include –
Satellite data analysis and processing of India’s remote sensing, meteorological, communication, navigation satellites
Delivery of Earth Observation applications – Crop Yield prediction, Weather Forecasting and Nowcasting, Disaster forecasting, Land Use Land Cover Maps, Urban expansion planning, Detection of encroachment, built-up, settlement, urban waterbodies, forest cover changes, roads, dams, ships, vessels etc.
Interplanetary missions – Chandrayaan and Mars missions, including orbit manoeuvring and soft landing of Chandrayaan-3 including identification of the landing site.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, the Department of Space is taking several steps to adopt Artificial Intelligence solutions at a faster pace in Space domain, across ISRO Centres and encouraging the private sector as well. Cross-centre endeavours are being undertaken to enable technical exchange on advances in AI technology and its applications in Space domain. Some of the initiatives being discussed in the long term include the feasibility of setting-up of dedicated labs for AI, upskilling employees in the AI technologies through the Skill Development Programme at respective centres and organization of various national level AI events/workshops/conferences/seminar.
The solid-fuelled K-4 missile is being developed by DRDO to arm the country’s nuclear-powered submarines in the shape of INS Arihant and its under-development sister vessels. INS Arihant, which became fully operational in November 2018 to complete India’s nuclear triad, is currently armed with the much shorter K-15 missiles with a 750 km range.
“The K-4 is now virtually ready for its serial production to kick-off. The two tests have demonstrated its capability to emerge straight from underwater and undertake its parabolic trajectory,” said a source.
India has the land-based Agni missiles, with the over 5,000-km Agni-V inter-continental ballistic missile now in the process of being inducted, and fighter jets jury-rigged to deliver nuclear weapons. But INS Arihant gives the country’s deterrence posture much more credibility because nuclear-powered submarines armed with nuclear-tipped missiles are considered the most secure, survivable and potent platforms for retaliatory strikes.
Once the K-4 missiles are inducted, they will help India narrow the gap with countries like the US, Russia and China, which have over 5,000-km range SLBMs. The K-4 missiles are to be followed by the K-5 and K-6 missiles in the 5,000-6,000 km range class.
The 6,000-ton INS Arihant, which is propelled by an 83 MW pressurised light-water reactor at its core, in turn, is to be followed by INS Arighat, which was launched in 2017. The next generation of nuclear submarines, currently called S-4 and S-4*, will be much larger in size.
India has received clearance to upgrade 84 Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets, which will result in 78% indigenization after the upgrade
In a significant step towards bolstering its military might with indigenously developed technology, India is poised to witness its Russian-origin Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets evolve into a domestic platform. Speaking at a recent lecture.
The upgrade program is being led by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in partnership with the Indian Air Force and other partners. The upgrade is expected to cost US$7.5 billion.
This initiative is a part of a larger effort by the Indian Air Force to modernize its ageing fleet. Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari asserted the critical role of an offensive air force as demonstrated in current global conflicts and emphasized India’s move towards an indigenized arsenal. To this end, the IAF has been proactive, from upgrading its Mirage 2000 to enhancing its MiG-29 fleet.
In summary, the IAF’s commitment to updating their combat forces with the latest technology, including shifting to fifth-generation fighter jets, ensures operational preparedness and a strong deterrence capability. The gradual indigenization of its air fleet marks a pivotal shift in India’s defence landscape, reducing dependency on foreign imports and fostering technological sovereignty.
According to unconfirmed reports, Armenia is a top contender for an export order for Akash SAM system manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).
The Akash export version will also be slightly different from the one inducted by the armed forces. The 100-km range air-to-air Astra missiles, now entering production after successful trials from Sukhoi-30MKI fighters, also have “good export potential”, said sources.
Akash is a “tried, tested and successfully inducted systems”. Indian armed forces have ordered Akash systems worth Rs 24,000 crore over the years, and MoD inked a contract in Mar 2023 of over Rs 9,100 crores for improved Akash Weapon System
BDL is a government enterprise under the Ministry of Defence that was established in 1970. BDL manufactures surface-to-air missiles and delivers them to the Indian Army. BDL also offers its products for export.
Akash Weapon System
The AWS is a Short Range Surface to Air Missile (SRSAM) Air Defence System, indigenously designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). In order to meet aerial threats, two additional Regiments of AWS with Upgradation are being procured for Indian Army for the Northern borders. Improved AWS has Seeker Technology, Reduced Foot Print, 360° Engagement Capability and improved environmental parameters.
The project will give a boost to the Indian missile manufacturing industry in particular and the indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem as a whole. The project has overall indigenous content of 82% which will be increased to 93% by 2026-27.
The induction of the improved AWS into the Indian Army will increase India’s self-reliance in Short Range Missile capability. This project will play a role in boosting the overall economy by avoiding outgo of precious foreign exchange to other countries, increasing employment avenues in India and encouraging Indian MSMEs through components manufacturing. Around 60% of the project cost will be awarded to the private industry, including MSMEs, in maintaining the supply chain of the weapon system, thereby creating large scale of direct and indirect employment.
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