Space on a budget: How India is rewriting the rules

India has emerged as a surprising leader in space exploration—not by outspending global superpowers, but by out-thinking them. With modest budgets and a strong emphasis on efficiency, India has shown the world how to achieve more with less in the final frontier.

Frugal Innovation at ISRO

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has built a reputation for doing big things with small budgets. The Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan), launched in 2013, cost just $67 million—less than the Hollywood film Gravity. This made India the first Asian nation to reach Mars orbit, and the first in the world to do so on its maiden attempt. Similarly, the Chandrayaan-2 lunar mission in 2019 was executed for just $141 million.

These missions highlight ISRO’s approach: lean teams, in-house development, and rigorous cost control, all without compromising on scientific ambition.

Private Sector and Policy Reforms

India’s space success story is no longer limited to ISRO. In recent years, the government has encouraged private sector participation through reforms like the establishment of IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center). This move opened the doors for startups to contribute to everything from satellite launches to propulsion systems.

Companies like Skyroot Aerospace and Agnikul Cosmos are developing their own rockets and have already marked major milestones, including successful private launches.

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Global Collaborations and Future Missions

India is also forging strong international partnerships. One major project is NISAR, a joint Earth observation satellite with NASA. Looking ahead, ISRO is preparing for the Gaganyaan mission, which will send Indian astronauts into space—making India only the fourth country to achieve independent human spaceflight.