- Why in news
- On 28 October 2026, PIB issued a backgrounder on India's new-age space technologies, ahead of the ESTIC-2026 space session on 29 October 2026 in New Delhi.
- What it is
- The backgrounder covers ISRO's newer technologies: reusable launch vehicles, scramjet engines, electric and green propulsion, in-orbit docking, NavIC and radar and hyperspectral Earth observation. They aim at cheaper launches, self-reliance and a larger private space economy.
- SpaDeX docking
- India became the fourth country to demonstrate space docking, after the US, Russia and China.
- NISAR
- NISAR is the first mission to use two radar frequencies together, NASA's L-band and ISRO's S-band.
- Cryogenic stage
- The indigenous cryogenic upper stage on GSLV uses liquid hydrogen as fuel and liquid oxygen as oxidiser. It replaced the Russian-supplied stage.
Don’t confuse with GTO vs GEO: GTO is an elliptical transfer orbit with apogee near 35,786 km. GEO is the circular orbit above the equator where a satellite appears stationary.
Don’t confuse with Scramjet vs rocket: A scramjet uses atmospheric oxygen and works only in the atmosphere at very high speed after a booster. A rocket carries its own oxidiser.
Science and technology: 57 Prelims questions since 2013; most test the concept behind the news, not the news itself. In Mains, 12 news-triggered questions.
Why it matters
- Reusable vehicles, NGLV and indigenous propulsion cut launch costs and dependence on foreign suppliers.
- Docking underpins the Bharatiya Antariksh Station, lunar sample return and in-orbit servicing.
Problems
- New technologies such as electric and green propulsion still need continued testing and validation before wider use.
- Moving from early-stage seed support to larger growth-stage private investment needs a steady industry base.
Way forward
- Transfer ISRO technologies to industry and grow private participation to reach the US$44 billion space economy target by 2033.
Put in your answer
Space economy target: The Department of Space targets a US$44 billion space economy by 2033.
Technology transfer: NSIL has signed 118 Technology Transfer Agreements to transfer 83 ISRO technologies to Indian industry.
Start-up investment: Cumulative investment in Indian space start-ups was about US$618.5 million by 31 March 2026.
- 2019Mains GS3 · Q6India's plan for own space station and benefits to programme
- 2015Mains GS3 · Q11Standard vs precision positioning; advantages of IRNSS's seven satellites
- 2026Mains GS3 · Q15Features and imaging techniques of Mission Drishti satellite; why world-first
- 2025Prelims Q83Which of Axiom-4, SpaDeX and Gaganyaan are space missions?
- 2010Prelims Q110What is Bhuvan, an ISRO geoportal with 3D imaging capabilities?
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
Prelims practice · Statements
Ours, not from a UPSC paper
Consider the following statements:
- 1.India became the fourth country to demonstrate space docking, after the United States, Russia and China.
- 2.A scramjet engine carries only fuel and draws oxygen from the surrounding air.
- 3.ISRO's indigenous cryogenic upper stage on GSLV uses liquid hydrogen as fuel and liquid nitrogen as oxidiser.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
True or false?
1 of 8
Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.
1.India became the fourth country to demonstrate space docking, after the United States, Russia and China.
True. India is the fourth country with docking capability.
2.The Next Generation Launch Vehicle is designed for a maximum of 30 tonnes to Low Earth Orbit.
True. NGLV is designed for 30 tonnes to LEO, versus 10 tonnes for LVM3.
3.A scramjet engine carries both fuel and oxidiser, like a conventional rocket.
False. A scramjet carries only fuel and draws oxygen from the air.
4.NISAR is the first satellite mission to use two radar frequencies together, NASA's L-band and ISRO's S-band.
True. NISAR combines L-band (NASA) and S-band (ISRO).
5.ISRO's indigenous cryogenic upper stage on GSLV uses liquid hydrogen as fuel and liquid nitrogen as oxidiser.
False. The oxidiser is liquid oxygen (LOX).
6.NavIC provides services only within the Indian mainland and offers no restricted service.
False. NavIC covers India and up to 1,500 km beyond, and has an encrypted Restricted Service for authorised users.
7.In a Sun-Synchronous Orbit, a satellite passes over an area at approximately the same local solar time.
True. This is the defining feature of SSO, enabling comparison under similar illumination.
8.Electric propulsion needs more propellant than chemical propulsion for the same orbital changes.
False. It achieves the same orbital changes with much less propellant.
Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.
Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.