If China establishes a lunar base before India does, a space war between the two countries could occur as early as 2030. China could use advanced jamming and targeting techniques to thwart India’s space missions and vehicles.
India has long been a spacefaring nation, and its lunar ambitions are no exception. The country has successfully launched several lunar missions and plans to send a human mission to the moon shortly. India’s lunar ambitions have several strategic implications. First, they can help India assert its regional dominance and deter potential adversaries. Second, they can be used to develop new technologies that can be used for military purposes. Third, they can help India boost its economy and create jobs.
Some of the benefits of an ambitious lunar program are:
Technology leadership: India’s success in lunar exploration would demonstrate its technological capabilities and its ability to compete with other spacefaring nations. This could give India a significant advantage in terms of technology leadership, which could be used to develop new products and services, improve its economy, and deter potential adversaries.
Economic benefits: Space exploration can also positively impact the economy. It can be used to develop new industries, such as space tourism and asteroid mining.
Scientific discoveries: Lunar exploration can also lead to scientific discoveries. It can help us learn more about the moon and other celestial bodies. This knowledge can be used to develop new technologies and to improve our understanding of the universe.
Cooperation and competition: India’s lunar ambitions could also lead to cooperation and competition with other countries. India has already expressed interest in working with other countries on lunar exploration projects. However, it is also competing with other countries for dominance in space. This competition could lead to tensions between countries.
From a military standpoint, India is one of the only four countries that have successfully reached the lunar surface. The competition in space is between the former superpowers, who are nearing the end of their glory, and two emerging powers. Space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities are the next frontier to conquer to maintain a military edge. Even a poor and bankrupt country like Pakistan can put up a good fight against any adversary on land. Space will be the decisive factor in the next generation of warfare. If India wants to be a major power in the future, it must have a presence and superiority in space.
China’s Chang’e series of missions is now in its fifth phase. It is worth noting that China achieved what India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission achieved a decade ago with its Chang’e 3 mission. While the Chandrayaan mission helped India reach the moon, India still has a long way to go before it can claim its place among the spacefaring nations. China aims to establish a permanent lunar base by 2027 with its Chang’e 8 mission.
Hence, India must accelerate its space program and build on the momentum of Chandrayaan-3. If China establishes a lunar base before India, a space war between the two countries could occur as early as 2030. China could use advanced jamming and targeting techniques to passively thwart India’s space missions and vehicles.
If India does not accelerate its space program in the next five years, China could establish a powerful optical surveillance and intelligence gathering system on the moon. This would give China a significant advantage in space surveillance, as it would be difficult to detect surveillance carried out from the moon. The moon is constantly visible from all parts of the earth, which means that a network of optical telescopes on the moon could provide continuous surveillance of any target on earth. This could be used for a variety of purposes, such as monitoring military activity, tracking missile launches, detecting nuclear weapons tests, and spying on other countries.
Humanoid robots are poised to play a major role in future space colonization. Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics have made it possible to create robots that are capable of performing complex tasks that were once thought to be the exclusive domain of humans. Humanoid robots could be used to perform a variety of tasks in space, such as exploring the surface of planets and moons, building habitats and infrastructure, conducting scientific research, repairing spacecraft and equipment, and providing companionship and support to human astronauts.
Some of the programs undertaken by various countries to develop humanoids for space:
USA: The US space agency NASA is developing a humanoid robot called Valkyrie. Valkyrie is designed to be a versatile robot that can perform a variety of tasks in space, such as exploring the surface of Mars and repairing spacecraft.
China: The Chinese space agency CNSA is developing a humanoid robot called Xiaofei. Xiaofei is designed to be a more affordable and accessible robot than Valkyrie or HRP-5P. It is also designed to be more user-friendly, which is important for applications such as space tourism.
Europe: The European Space Agency ESA is developing a humanoid robot called CIMON. CIMON is designed to be a companion robot for astronauts. It is not designed to perform tasks in space, but it is designed to provide companionship and support to astronauts.
India is actively involved in developing its humanoid missions to space. ISRO and DRDO are working on projects such as Vyommitra, Agastya, and Rudra. However, if India wants to accelerate its space race, private companies should engage the Indian youth in large numbers and simultaneously develop multiple competing products. While some initiatives have already started, such as QROBOTIX, we need greater government support to ensure that these companies are nurtured and grown into global leaders in this field.
India and China have different approaches to space exploration. India is focused on traditional space goals, while China is aiming to lead in space-related technologies. China has a clear vision for space exploration and is investing heavily in space technology. It has also achieved several major milestones in space exploration. India needs to up its game in several areas to beat China in space exploration.
The following are some aspects that could define the space race in the times to come.
- India and China are emerging space powers, and their rivalry will likely intensify in the coming years.
- The outcome of this rivalry will have a significant impact on the future of space exploration and the global space economy.
- India needs to develop a clear vision for space exploration and articulate its goals for the next five years.
- India must invest more money in space technology, research, and development.
- India needs to collaborate with other countries to share resources and expertise.
If India can do these things, it will be well on its way to beating China in space exploration. However, it is important to note that China is a formidable competitor, and India will need to work hard to catch up. India’s lunar ambitions are ambitious but achievable. With careful planning and execution, India can become a major player in the space race and reap the benefits of lunar exploration. The success of Chandrayaan-3 is a stepping stone towards greater glory and achieving the position of a superpower. However, India should not rest on its laurels. It should build on this success and engage in parallel projects in multiple domains, such as developing humanoid robots for space exploration, building lunar bases, and developing new technologies for space mining. By doing so, India can truly cement its place as a leading spacefaring nation.
India should also consider the strategic implications of its lunar ambitions in the context of the larger geopolitical landscape. The competition between India and China in space is likely to intensify in the coming years, and India needs to be prepared. By building a strong lunar program, India can help deter China’s aggressive behavior in space and protect its own interests.
Wing Commander S. Sudhakaran (Retd) is CEO, QuGates Technologies.