India is making rapid strides in the fields of space technology, quantum research, and innovation, with several key developments reported in the past 24 hours.
Enhancing Space Security with 'Bodyguard Satellites'
In a strategic move to safeguard its orbital assets, India has initiated plans to develop "bodyguard satellites." This decision follows a near-miss incident in 2024 involving an Indian satellite and a foreign spacecraft. The initiative is part of a broader strategy that includes deploying 52 new surveillance satellites by 2026, alongside advanced technologies such as radars, telescopes, and LiDAR, to provide comprehensive coverage of the orbital domain. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has also reiterated its commitment to "Debris-Free Space Missions by 2030."
ISRO Commercializes Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) Technology
A significant agreement has been signed between NewSpace India Limited, ISRO, IN-SPACe, and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the transfer of Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) technology. This collaboration aims to commercialize SSLV production, thereby boosting India's space ecosystem and catering to the growing national and international demand for small satellite launch services. The SSLV is a three-stage, all-solid vehicle designed to launch satellites weighing up to 500 kg into Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
Breakthrough in Quantum Research by Indian Scientists
Indian scientists at the Raman Research Institute (RRI) have achieved a global first by demonstrating how atoms exhibit interaction-driven distortions when pushed into extremely high-energy states, ceasing to behave as independent particles. This discovery, observed in Rydberg atomic signals, is crucial for the development of advanced quantum computers, sensors, and communication devices. The research involved cooling rubidium atoms to near absolute zero and exciting them into Rydberg states, revealing collective interactions beyond the 100th energy level.
Hydrogen to Drive Future ISRO Missions
ISRO Chairman Dr. V Narayanan highlighted the transformative role of hydrogen in India's space missions, clean energy transition, and industrial ecosystem. He underscored ISRO's mastery of cryogenic technology, which is fundamental to its space achievements, including the LVM-III rocket powered by a liquid hydrogen–oxygen upper stage. Beyond propulsion, ISRO is developing 20-kilowatt oxygen-based fuel cells for future space habitats and long-duration missions, showcasing hydrogen's versatility.
India Climbs to 38th in Global Innovation Index 2025
India has advanced to the 38th rank in the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2025, published by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). This marks a steady improvement from its 48th position in 2020, reflecting the nation's increasing commitment to innovation-driven growth. India also maintains its leading position among lower-middle-income economies and in the Central and Southern Asia region.
New Collaborations in Healthcare and Agritech
- The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has launched the DIGI-CARE project, an initiative leveraging digital health technologies to enhance the management of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes and hypertension across India.
- In agricultural innovation, India and Brazil have launched the second edition of the BrazilIndia Cross-Incubation Programme in Agritech (Maitri 2.0). This programme aims to foster technological innovation and exchange best practices in the agriculture sector.
- A study has revealed an unexpected environmental benefit of the Ujjwala clean cooking fuel initiative, showing that the provision of LPG to rural households has inadvertently led to significant forest recovery in Jharkhand.