India’s ambitious space program, led by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has garnered immense pride domestically. However, the current state of India’s space achievements paints a much less optimistic picture. Despite the accolades and the glossy narratives of technological advancement, a closer examination of ISRO’s performance reveals a series of failed missions, costly setbacks, and a heavy reliance on foreign technologies. The reality behind India’s space ambitions appears less glamorous than the narratives of “AtmanirbharBharat” (Self-reliant India) suggest.
Deteriorating NavIC System
One of the most glaring examples of ISRO’s ongoing struggles is the failure of its own regional satellite navigation system, NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation), a project that was once seen as India’s alternative to the US-owned GPS. Initially launched with great promise, the NavIC constellation was intended to provide precise location data for military and civilian purposes, especially within a 1,500-kilometer radius of India. The system was designed to offer a resilient, independent navigation service for India, particularly in case the country was denied access to global systems like GPS during times of geopolitical conflict.
However, as of 2025, the reality of the NavIC system is far less impressive. Out of the nine satellites launched since 2013, only two remain operational. The majority of the constellation’s atomic clocks, critical to the functioning of the system, have malfunctioned. Atomic clocks are essential to maintaining precise timing, which is the cornerstone of any global or regional positioning system. ISRO imported these clocks from the Swiss company SpectraTime, and despite initial success, five of the satellites are now completely defunct, leaving India’s regional navigation capabilities in jeopardy. Only two satellites, operating with functional atomic clocks, are still contributing to the system.
The failure of NavIC is not just a technological shortfall but also a political and strategic setback. While India had envisioned NavIC as a fallback during periods of international tension, the failure to maintain and upgrade this indigenous system raises questions about the efficacy of the entire initiative. The proposed solution to this problem is to replace the ageing satellites with new ones incorporating indigenously developed rubidium clocks, which are still in development. This delay in the indigenous clock development, combined with procurement challenges, highlights the significant hurdles ISRO faces in its quest for technological self-reliance.
Chandrayaan and Mars Mission Failures
ISRO’s lunar missions have also been less than stellar. In 2019, India’s Chandrayaan-2 mission, which aimed to land on the Moon’s surface, ended in disaster when the Vikram lander crashed. While ISRO tried to spin the failure as a partial success by claiming that it had achieved its scientific goals in orbit, the truth was that the lander’s crash effectively nullified the mission. The mission’s failure was a significant blow to India’s ambition of becoming a global space power.
In 2023, ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 mission, which successfully landed on the Moon, was hailed as a “historic” success. However, the rover’s lifespan was a mere 14 days, while similar missions in the international arena continue to operate for months, or even years. While India celebrated this mission as a milestone, the short-lived nature of the rover raised doubts about the true significance of the achievement. India’s aspirations of space supremacy were somewhat diluted by the failure to extend the mission’s operational life, leaving observers to question the sustainability and longevity of ISRO’s space ambitions.
Similarly, the Mars Orbiter Mission, known as Mangalyaan, which launched in 2013, was initially celebrated for its low cost and successful entry into Mars’ orbit. However, despite being labeled a “cheap miracle,” the mission’s scientific contributions were minimal. Mangalyaan lacked the advanced scientific instruments that other Mars missions boasted, and its data collection was underwhelming at best. The mission quietly ended in 2021, leaving little to show for the hype and the celebrated budgetary savings.
Rocket Failures and Delayed Human Space Mission
In addition to satellite and planetary missions, ISRO has faced a series of failures in its rocket programs. One of the most notable failures occurred in 2022 when the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) failed during its maiden flight. The failure resulted in the loss of several satellites, demonstrating a significant gap in ISRO’s rocket technology. This setback was particularly disconcerting because SSLV was intended to serve as a more cost-effective solution for launching small satellites into space. In a broader context, ISRO also relies heavily on foreign technology for cryogenic engines, a key component in many of its rockets, further complicating India’s push for self-reliance.
Another major setback in India’s space program is the delayed Gaganyaan mission, which was initially slated to send Indian astronauts into space by 2022. However, the mission has been postponed several times, with the most recent projections suggesting a launch date in 2026 or later. Despite billions of rupees being invested in the program, the lack of results has raised concerns about India’s readiness to send its astronauts into space. The delay highlights the gaps in ISRO’s human spaceflight capabilities and the challenges it faces in achieving self-sufficiency in this arena.
Burden on the Indian Public
The failures and delays in India’s space program have not come without a cost. As the country faces numerous socio-economic challenges, including poverty, unemployment, and a struggling healthcare system, the resources allocated to ISRO’s lofty space ambitions come at the expense of the Indian taxpayer. Billions of rupees are spent on these high-profile, high-risk missions, many of which end in failure. The irony lies in the fact that the majority of India’s population continues to struggle with basic needs, including access to quality education, healthcare, and infrastructure. The taxpayer money that funds this space spectacles could arguably be better spent addressing pressing domestic issues.
India’s space program, while an impressive technological feat, has often been painted as a symbol of national pride and global prestige. However, the mounting failures, delays, and reliance on foreign technologies expose the underlying weaknesses of the program. The lofty promises of “Atmanirbhar Bharat” ring hollow when viewed in the context of these recurring setbacks. It is becoming increasingly clear that, despite its claims of self-reliance, India’s space program is struggling to deliver on its ambitious promises. Instead of being the beacon of national pride, ISRO’s space initiatives risk becoming a white elephant: expensive, underperforming, and disconnected from the real needs of the Indian public.
India’s space ambitions, despite the hype and national pride surrounding them, are deeply flawed. The NavIC system’s failure, the disappointing outcomes of the Chandrayaan and Mars missions, the repeated rocket failures, and the delays in sending astronauts into space paint a picture of a space program that is plagued by inefficiencies and technological dependency. As ISRO strives to achieve space supremacy, it is important to remember that real progress in space exploration is not just about the headlines and the missions that make it to the media. It is also about ensuring that these missions are successful, sustainable, and meaningful, and that the benefits are felt across all sections of society. Until ISRO can overcome these challenges, India’s space dreams may remain just that – dreams without substance.
