National Space Day 2025: What Makes ISRO’s Space Missions So Cost-Effective?

India's space agency, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has consistently stunned the global community by executing world-class space missions at a fraction of the cost incurred by other nations. From placing a spacecraft around Mars on its first attempt to landing near the Moon's south pole, ISRO's track record has been extraordinary and consistent when it comes to maintaining a surprising budget. The economic approach that the world sees isn't accidental but rooted in its founding philosophy. The scientists embraced resourcefulness at ISRO. Not to mention that early satellite components were transported to launch sites via bullock carts.

Smart, not expensive

As the popular saying goes, economic constraints spur domestic innovations, and who follows is better than India. After India's 1974 nuclear test, Western technology was embargoed for Indian scientists. It played in India's favour, and ISRO built everything in-house. As P. Sudarshan, former ISRO Budget Director, had said that these sanctions became "a blessing in disguise."

ISRO became self-reliant and reduced mission costs by collaborating with the Indian industry, which eventually made the country self-reliant.

Being economical, or to say Frugal is more than only a budget trick; it's the mindset. Scientists at ISRO say that a culture of doing more with less pervades every decision. From using fewer tests, relying on simulations rather than costly prototypes, to modular design philosophies and component reuse, the scientists leverage every local talent and infrastructure that provides additional cost advantages. While Western agencies collaborate or use high-end, specialised transport, ISRO relies on the existing transport system for logistics.

Landmark missions

A little over a decade back, the entire world was in disbelief when India achieved its Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), also known as Mangalyaan. For just $74 million, ISRO placed a spacecraft in Mars orbit on its very first try – a feat not achieved by any space agency. The popular headlines then were "India sent a rocket to Mars for less than it cost to make 'The Martian", and "India sent a Rocket to Mars for less than it cost to make a Hollywood movie." Interestingly, they happen to be women, Indian women, for that matter.

Another feat ISRO achieved was Chandrayaan-1 for $82 million. This lunar mission discovered water molecules on the Moon, which is considered a major scientific achievement for pennies to global counterparts. Then Chandrayaan-3 happened in 2023, when the world was watching India. It was a mission crafted and executed on a slim budget with just hundreds of crores. This mission achieved a historic landing near the Moon's south pole.

The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) launchers were sent by India at a cost that surprised the world. While the former had cost around $20 million per launch, the latter operates at about $30 million per launch and delivers heavy payloads affordably. This is in comparison to $165 million for Europe's Ariane 5. Other missions include IRNSS/NavIC for $200 million, Astrosat for $100 million, and RISAT-2 for $100 million. This explains ISRO's cost discipline.

Strategy & ecosystem

Unlike global space agencies, ISRO's strategies go beyond engineering, believe experts. They say that the agency includes cost-conscious policy decisions. It encourages private sector collaboration via initiatives like IN-SPACe, which inculcates a competitive ecosystem while retaining efficiency.

Innovation doesn't need extravagance. India believes in achieving the objective not by splurging but by utilising every resource smartly. Since its beginning, ISRO has made groundbreaking leaps in Astro economics. It is an amazing journey of starting from humble working in a church to carrying rocket parts on a bicycle and missiles in a bullock cart to the Chandrayaan-3 mission. It is extremely high-end. “We have travelled an enormous distance in a relatively short time,” says ISRO's Ex-Group Director Dr Suresh Naik. He explains that the primary aspect that makes ISRO's missions cost-effective is by choosing the right rocket for the right job. "The consumption of the fuel by the rocket is the major factor that decides the cost of the mission. If you choose the right vehicle for that and not a particularly bigger vehicle like other countries, that gives a lot of savings," says Dr Naik. The scientist points out two important aspects of ISRO's approach for a mission: "Once you choose the smaller capability rocket, you have to overcome that shortcoming by very imaginative planning of the trajectory. We are working in tight time schedules, so our manpower cost comes down," says the scientist.

Being self-reliant matters

He also credits the affordability of the mission to India's self-reliant power. "Almost all of our components that go in the rockets are indigenous, so that gives an added advantage that we don't have to import," he insists. Additionally, the cost of labour is also cheap, so the overall cost reduces compared to other countries. "Of course, the reliability of our rockets is also very high at a low cost."

It is important to mention the recent astronaut mission where Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian to go to space as part of the Axion-4 mission, a private spaceflight to the International Space Station (ISS). The mission involved collaboration between Axiom Space, NASA, SpaceX, and ISRO. He participated in various scientific experiments. Among students and space enthusiasts, these achievements continue to inspire them. Avani Advani, inspired by recent astronaut missions, says, "I want to learn more about ISRO and become a space scientist. It is very interesting. I want to learn how to design for space on a tight budget."

Struggle to match

Unlike India, countries like the USA or those in Europe don't face the same budget constraints. This leads to a costlier supply chain, greater outsourcing, insurance burdens, and more redundant testing. ISRO, on the other hand, has an advantage for its necessity-driven innovation and not compromise. Dr Naik says while other agencies prioritise redundancy and scale, ISRO optimises lean design, reusability, and simplicity, all without sacrificing success.

Interestingly, India's 'budget-friendly' indigenous rockets have opened up a bigger market to ISRO launch vehicles for satellite service missions. "Many advanced countries come to India to launch their satellites because their rockets would cost them more than their own rockets. Our turnaround time for launch is also minimal," reveals Dr Naik. It means that our tools may be simple, but our solutions are ingenious. We design for impact, not extravagance.