Since the beginning of the space race, humans have learned a lot about the universe's hidden marvels. While the West played a significant role in laying the foundations for the modern space sector, the Asia-Pacific region has also emerged as a prominent player. Countries like Japan, India, China, and South Korea are rapidly developing their space capabilities, contributing to global communication networks, satellite navigation systems, and scientific research. Their remarkable victories represent a break from the traditional Western approach, as they weave their epic tale full of stunning achievements to kindle that flame of inspiration. From being the first to land on the south pole of the Moon to being the first to land on its far side; from succeeding in a Mars mission with a much lower cost than any previous Mars mission around the globe to being the second to have a rover on Mars soil, they hold many stories to tell. In all these achievements, youth have played a pivotal role, from understanding the limitations and overcoming challenges like funding, geopolitical tension, and policies to setting up examples for the future of space exploration missions. Let me tell you more about the wonders they created and the challenges they faced.
India has a lot to offer when it comes to innovation. It has travelled a long journey “from the bicycle to the moon." Where money and geopolitical tensions were a significant challenge for India, it demonstrated to the world that it is built differently. Youth-led businesses are pushing innovation and establishing new economic prospects in space data analytics and in-orbit manufacturing, as well as satellite design and launch services. India is setting a new standard for the world to follow. Where the government formerly provided resources, new start-ups are now offering solutions for lowering costs, targeting sustainability, and providing creative tech concepts.
The Nike-Apache rocket supplied by NASA, being brought to Thumba for assembly
With this collaboration, India has created a new place to supply satellites and create tech wonders like Agniban, the world's first fully 3D-printed semi-cryogenic engine. The brilliant minds behind this innovation are the young minds of Agnikul Cosmos. Whereas ISRO is a prominent player in the Indian space industry, recent policy reforms have resulted in some remarkable collaboration between government and private institutions. Skyroot's Vikram-S, India's first privately built rocket, launched from the ISRO launchpad in Sriharikota in 2022, and Bellatrix Aerospace was the first startup to develop indigenous Hall-effect thrusters for satellites.
Pixxel also collaborated with ISRO to launch its first hyperspectral satellite. Whereas most Indian startups focus on building indigenously to cut costs and reduce their reliance on third parties, Digantara Aerospace opted to address the essential issue before planning any mission: space debris. They are working on space debris detectors with an emphasis on sustainability.
China, once the world's factory, is also one of the biggest competitors of the West when it comes to the space industry. Chinese aerospace businesses have proved their competence and competitiveness in a variety of areas, including the development of reusable launch vehicles, satellite manufacturing, and satellite-based services. Chinese youths are making significant contributions to China's aerospace sector through innovative businesses and research and development. In July 2019, i-Space achieved a milestone by launching the Hyperbola-1 rocket into low Earth orbit on its first mission, becoming the first private Chinese company to do so.
Furthermore, in 2018, OneSpace, a youth-driven firm led by CEO Shu Chang, made its debut by launching China's first privately constructed rocket, focusing on the small launcher segment for microsatellites and nanosatellites. i-Space has also developed satellite applications for a range of industries, including remote sensing, telecommunications, and navigation, while OneSpace specialises in disaster management, environmental monitoring, and agriculture.
Hu Zhenyu founded his firm, LinkSpace, a commercial rocket launch and space services provider, and, born in 1993, he is only as old as the CNSA itself. China also has a startup completely focused on deep space research. Deep Space Lab is a research and development company that specialises in deep space exploration technologies. Geely, with a satellite manufacturing facility located in Taizhou, is focused on navigation satellites, whereas GalaxySpace is focused on 5G/IoT, and Commsat is one of the emerging players in domestic communication satellite production. With all of these businesses, China has reduced its dependence on Western services and Western dominance in its space market. The government policies, grants for research, and support to startups have contributed significantly to the creation of future space explorers. Their successes have aided the position of China in the global space market and prompted other countries to invest in their commercial space organisations. The Chinese market is more competitive than anywhere else in the world, more so than SpaceX in the US, for example, and it is also a place where young people may play a significant role in shaping change.
When it comes to innovation, we must not forget about Japan. Despite Japan's long history of space exploration, the country faced significant challenges such as workforce development and space being limited to non-defence causes with little exposure to industry, making it more difficult to attract young people to the field. Furthermore, the lack of a military program has hindered the development of dual-purpose technologies. The domestic market is too small to become self-sufficient. To deal with this, Japan brought new policy reforms to open the space sector to private companies and set up space education centres, bringing fresh talent and opportunity to the space sector. This reform introduced private companies like Astroscale, Axelspace, Infostellar, iSpace, and many more to the Japanese space sector. Astroscale, founded in 2013 by IT entrepreneur Mitsunobu "Nobu" Okada, is a major player in solving space debris concerns and preparing missions to clear them. Axelspace Corporation, founded by Yuya Nakamura, manufactures mini-satellites, best known for their low cost and quick development. They offer a platform for clients to manufacture their satellites, making space technology more accessible. Mitsunobu "Nobu" Okada and Yuya Nakamura show how young entrepreneurs are changing the future. Several Japanese startups like DENSO AgriTech Solutions, Sagri, and Skysense are also now using satellite data to enhance farming operations. They are helping farmers to understand their crop health, soil conditions, and weather patterns. This information can help farmers improve their operations and enhance yields. In addition, Japan’s location has made it more prone to earthquakes and tsunamis than anywhere else in the world. Space intelligence is one example of developing advanced analytics tools to process satellite data, thereby providing insights into disaster-affected areas and helping the government act effectively during disaster response missions. It has used modern satellite technology to provide real-time monitoring, communication networks, search and rescue support, and disaster relief logistics. Sentinel Asia, guided by APRSAF and supported by Japanese satellites, uses space technology for disaster management and sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region. It provides timely satellite data for various purposes, showcasing the benefits of space technology in addressing practical challenges.
In conclusion, where there are many challenges for the Asia-Pacific region, its growth has made the tables turn. The Asia-Pacific region is preparing its next generation to be leaders in the space industry by cultivating a culture of innovation, education, and outreach.
Mahima Gehlot