Though the first demonstration flight of India’s Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) to put into orbit an earth observation satellite (EOS2) and AzaadiSAT (a micro satellite created by 750 rural students from across the country) earlier this month was a failure, the project will likely be a game-changer in determining India’s future in the global satellite market.
At present, there are around 4,550 man-made satellites in Earth’s orbit, including 3,790 in lower orbit, 139 in medium orbit, 56 in highly elliptical orbit and 565 in geostationary orbit. If the current satellite plans of global majors become a reality, another 50,000 satellites