PRELIMS AND MAINS 2026
Gs paper – III
scIence & technoloGy
SPACE TECHNOLOGY
AND DEFENCE
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
[Link] TOPIC PAGE NO
1 BARATHIYA ANTARIKSH STATION 03
SPADEX MISSION 04
2
3 DRONES AND ITS TYPES
05 - 07
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1. BARATHIYA ANTARIKSH STATION
Bharatiya Anthariksh Station (BAS): Our own Space Station for Scientific research to be
established with the launch of its first module in 2028
• BAS is India's planned space station for scientific research which will orbit around 400
– 450km above the Earth's surface
• It will have five modules and will be built in phases.
• Targets: The first module (the Base Module) will be launch in 2028 and BAS will be
operationalized by 2035.
Revised Gaganyaan Programme include:
• Development of first module of BAS and four missions for demonstration &
validation of various technologies for BAS by December, 2028.
• Four missions under ongoing Gaganyaan Programme by 2026
• The total funding for Gaganyaan Programme with the revised scope has been
enhanced to over ₹20000 Crore from around ₹12000 Crore.
Significance of baratiya anthariksh station
Spaceflight and human habitation: BAS will serve as a testing ground to study how to
keep astronauts safe and healthy on long-duration missions. It will also support India's
other long-term space goals
• Earth observation: Space Station can provide better spatial resolution and variable
lighting conditions. It can assist in dealing with natural disasters.
• Microgravity research: For example, muscles and bones react differently in space
than on Earth. Thus, on BAS controlled experiments can be fast-tracked to study
health conditions such as muscle atrophy and bone density loss.
• Fostering innovations: Small entrepreneurs can test their technology in space. This
can generate increased employment opportunities in high-technology sectors
related to space and allied industries.
• Technological spin-offs: Spin-off products are space based innovations and
technologies that find application in other sectors like use of:
• Space-derived data processing algorithm for environmental monitoring
or Advanced materials developed for, automotive, construction and spacecraft
for aerospace.
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2. SPADEX MISSION
SpaDeX mission is a cost-effective technology demonstrator mission for the demonstration
of in-space docking using two small spacecraft launched by PSLV.
This technology is essential for India's space ambitions such as Indian on Moon, sample
return from the Moon, the building and operation of Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS), etc.
Objectives:
• The primary objective of the SpaDeX mission is to develop and demonstrate the
technology needed for rendezvous, docking, and undocking of two small spacecraft
(SDX01, which is the Chaser, and SDX02, the Target, nominally) in a low-Earth circular
orbit. Secondary objectives include:
✓ Demonstration of the transfer of electric power between the docked spacecraft,
which is essential for future applications such as in-space robotics,
✓ Composite spacecraft control, and
✓ Payload operations after undocking.
• The SpaDeX mission consists of two small spacecraft (about 220 kg each) to be
launched by PSLV-C60, independently and simultaneously, into a 470 km circular orbit
• the Target and Chaser will be in the same orbit with identical velocity but separated by
about 20 km, known as Far Rendezvous.
• the Chaser will approach the Target with progressively reduced inter-satellite
distances of 5 km, 1.5 km, 500 m, 225 m, 15 m, and 3 m, ultimately leading to the docking
of the two spacecraft.
• After successful docking and rigidization, electrical power transfer between the two
satellites will be demonstrated before undocking and separation of the two satellites
to start the operation of their respective payloads for the expected mission life of up to
two years.
POEM of PSLV C-60
• PS4-Orbital Experiment Module, designated as POEM, refers to the usage of the spent
fourth stage of the Polar Synchronous Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
• It provides an opportunity for the scientific community to carry out certain in-orbit
microgravity experiments for an extended duration of up to three months using the
POEM platform, which otherwise would end up as space debris immediately after the
mission objective of injecting the primary payloads of the mission.
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3. DRONES AND ITS TYPES
A UAV, commonly known as a drone, unpiloted aerial vehicle, or remotely piloted aircraft
(RPA), has its flight remotely controlled by a pilot on the ground or in another vehicle.
Type of UAVs:
• Fixed-Wing: Resemble airplanes; long flight times; used for surveillance and mapping.
• Multi-Rotor: Have multiple rotors (E.g., quadcopters); great for photography and short-
range tasks.
• Single-Rotor: Like helicopters; carry heavier payloads; used for specialized tasks.
• VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing): Combine fixed-wing and rotor features; long
endurance with vertical takeoffs/landings.
• Tethered: Connected to a ground station; offer continuous power for persistent tasks.
• Nano/Micro: Small drones for indoor use or tight spaces.
• High Altitude: Operate at great heights; used for weather and surveillance.
• Swarm: Groups of drones working together; used for coordinated displays and
research.
Advanced UAVs of DRDO
• Nishant: It is a multi-mission UAV (developed by DRDO) launched using a Mobile
Hydro-pneumatic Launcher with Day/Night capability used for battle
field surveillance and reconnaissance, target tracking & localisation. Nishant has
been inducted into the Indian army.
• Panchi: Panchi is a variant of Nishant (launcher-based tactical UAV) with capability of
conventional take-off/landing and has improved flight envelope and endurance.
• Daksh-Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV): It is versatile equipment for improvised
explosive device identification and handling and can also be utilised to survey and
monitor nuclear and chemical contamination levels.
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• Rustom drones, developed by India's DRDO, are a series of unmanned aerial vehicles
(UAVs) primarily used for surveillance and reconnaissance.
• The Rustom program includes Rustom-1, Rustom-2 (also known as TAPAS BH-201), and
Rustom-H. Rustom-2, a medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) UAV, is designed to
carry various payloads and can operate at medium to long ranges.
• The Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), part of DRDO, is the primary
developer, with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd and Bharat Electronics Limited as production
partners.
NETRA Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AEW&C/AWAC)
• Multi-Sensor Platform Development: It is a multi-sensor platform developed by DRDO in
collaboration with the Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS).
• AESA Radar System: Netra has an indigenous Active Electronically Scanned
Array (AESA) radar system mounted on the Embraer ERJ 145 aircraft, which can track
and find aircraft, missiles, ships and vehicles.
• In-Flight Refueling Capability: It can receive fuel in flight, which can double its flight time
endurance to nine hours.
Use of drones as pseudo satellites
1. High-Altitude Pseudo Satellite vehicle (HAPS) is a new age unmanned aerial vehicle
(UAV) that can significantly increase India’s surveillance and monitoring capabilities
in the border areas.
2. It can fly at altitudes of 18-20 km from the ground, almost double the heights attained
by commercial airplanes.
3. It has the ability to generate solar power.
4. It can remain in air for months, even years, offering it advantages of a satellite.
5. It does not require a rocket to get into space.
6. The cost of operating HAPS is several times lower than that of a satellite that is usually
placed at least 200 km from the earth.
Applications of HAPS
1. It can be very useful in disaster situations.
2. It can even be used to provide mobile communications networks in remote areas
3. changes or movements.
Counter drone system
A Counter-Drone System, also known as a Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (C-UAS), is a
technology or set of technologies designed to:
Detect, track, identify, and neutralize unauthorized or hostile drones (Unmanned Aerial
Vehicles - UAVs).
It consist of:
• RADAR System – Drone detection and tracking
• EO System – CCD, IR camera with LRF for detection and tracking of Drone target
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• DF Counter Drone System- Drone communication channel RF Detection & Jamming,
GPS Jamming / Spoofing System (Soft Kill)
• Laser Directed Energy Weapon System (Hard Kill)
• Command & Control Centre (C3) with Power Source for complete System
Important counter drone systems of India
• Indrajaal: Developed by Grene Robotics, it's an AI-powered drone dome covering 4,000
sq km, designed for autonomous detection and neutralization of threats.
• Bhargavastra: A portable missile system by Solar Industries for targeting drone
swarms.
• D4 System: Developed by DRDO and productionized by BEL, this system is capable of
detecting, tracking, and neutralizing drones (both soft and hard kill) and provides
object details and RF spectrum display.
Importance of counter drone systems
The development of anti-drone systems is crucial for protecting critical infrastructure,
borders, and national security assets from potential drone attacks.
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