Space Based Surveillance Phase-III (SBS-3) Satellites of ISRO (2 Viewers)

[Indx TechStyle]

The thread is vis a vis planned SBS-3 series (52 nos) military satellites of ISRO. Separate general thread shall be created for Military Applications of Indian Space Program.

This thread shall be sticky till end of the phase III.

Exclusive: CCS clears launch of 52 surveillance satellites​

the proposal cleared by CCS involves the launch of at least 52 satellites in low earth orbit and geostationary orbit for surveillance. Costing ₹26,968 crore, the proposal involves the construction and launch of 21 satellites by ISRO and the remaining 31 by private companies.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Further in context of Pehlgam attack:

Rs 22,500-Crore Spy Satellite Push: India Slashes Timeline From 4 Years To 1

The Indian government is collaborating with three private companies — Anant Technologies, Centum Electronics, and Alpha Design Technologies — to expedite the construction of these satellites. Initially, these companies had four years to complete the task, but the timeline has now been shortened to 12-18 months, with an aim to have the satellites operational by 2026 or earlier.

This project, which has received government approval due to its critical importance, is expected to cost approximately Rs 22,500 crore ($3 billion). Known as the Space Based Surveillance (SBS-3) program, the initiative received the green light from the Cabinet Committee on Security in October 2024. It involves the production of a total of 52 spy satellites, with 31 assigned to the three private companies and the remaining 21 to be developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

 

[swesh]

Ground penetrating radar isro

 

[FalconSlayers]

View: https://x.com/PixxelSpace/status/1932675932613194215

 

[Azaad]

This should be merged with the Defence Space Agency thread IMO . @ezsasa

Thread 'Defence Space Agency ( DSA) : News & Updates.'

Jun 10, 2025

Ex ISRO chief warns: 'Hypersonic missiles extremely difficult to intercept, India needs hundreds of satellites' - BusinessToday

Former ISRO chief S. Somanath warned that without a massive satellite boost, India’s armed forces risk blind spots in crisis

www.businesstoday.in

• Azaad
• Replies: 1
• Forum: Strategic Planning & Forces

• 

 

[ezsasa]

This should be merged with the Defence Space Agency thread IMO . @ezsasa

Thread 'Defence Space Agency ( DSA) : News & Updates.'

Jun 10, 2025

Ex ISRO chief warns: 'Hypersonic missiles extremely difficult to intercept, India needs hundreds of satellites' - BusinessToday

Former ISRO chief S. Somanath warned that without a massive satellite boost, India’s armed forces risk blind spots in crisis

www.businesstoday.in

• Azaad
• Replies: 1
• Forum: Strategic Planning & Forces

• 

SBS is a programme/project, DSA is a department, DSA will be overseeing multiple programmes and projects.
post seminars and policy updates in DSA thread.
keep this thread for SBS(for now), until awareness increases about SBS project.

 

[FalconSlayers]

Read more at:

Post Op Sindoor, India to fast-track launch of 52 defence surveillance satellites | India News - Times of India

India News: India is accelerating its space surveillance capabilities following Operation Sindoor, planning to launch 52 dedicated military satellites by 2029, wi

timesofindia.indiatimes.com

 

[snakeeyes07]

View attachment 41577

Read more at:

Post Op Sindoor, India to fast-track launch of 52 defence surveillance satellites | India News - Times of India

India News: India is accelerating its space surveillance capabilities following Operation Sindoor, planning to launch 52 dedicated military satellites by 2029, wi

timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Given the geopolitical situation, I don't think 2029 end is good enough for the complete project to be deployed, unless US Pentagon/NRO gives us some access to it's imagery during crisis.

And what happened to DRDO VEDA and microsat & cubesat launch on demand capability? Will those satellites also be under SBS-3?

 

[ArjunMK1A]

View attachment 41577

Read more at:

Post Op Sindoor, India to fast-track launch of 52 defence surveillance satellites | India News - Times of India

India News: India is accelerating its space surveillance capabilities following Operation Sindoor, planning to launch 52 dedicated military satellites by 2029, wi

timesofindia.indiatimes.com

They are planning to launch 52 satellites in 3 years. Meaning 17 launches per year, which is thrice what ISRO is launching per year.

Now so far we got some information, few of the satellites will be Hyperspectral ones from Pixxel. Another one is coming from Galaxyeye (SAR + MSI) I believe. Also, DRDO may launch EMISAT series which is an ELINT/SIGNIT platform, Some other private companies were working.

Now 52 is still a small number for our requirement. We should go with SBS 4 which push the count more than 100.

Apart from that we need to expand NVS Series to full fledge system. Current system is highly lacking.


All of them depends how fast PSLV is churning out.

 

[FalconSlayers]

View: https://x.com/alpha_defense/status/1943639725266370806

 

[Azaad]

They are planning to launch 52 satellites in 3 years. Meaning 17 launches per year, which is thrice what ISRO is launching per year.

Now so far we got some information, few of the satellites will be Hyperspectral ones from Pixxel. Another one is coming from Galaxyeye (SAR + MSI) I believe. Also, DRDO may launch EMISAT series which is an ELINT/SIGNIT platform, Some other private companies were working.

Now 52 is still a small number for our requirement. We should go with SBS 4 which push the count more than 100.

Apart from that we need to expand NVS Series to full fledge system. Current system is highly lacking.


All of them depends how fast PSLV is churning out.

Revised schedule isn't 3 years but by end 2026 . What you've provided is the old schedule. Whether it's possible is another issue. As far as launch vehicles go I suppose a good deal can be done vide the SSLV.

We were given tall talks about how it'd be ready for launch within 3-4 days if need be . Well time to put the money where the mouth is.

Having said that there's no break up provided on how many are meant for LEO & how many are for sun synchronous earth orbit & how many in GEO ?

Possibly the 21 satellites ISRO is developing would be for higher altitudes requiring higher thrust lauch vehicles.

From what I understand we need ~ 250 such satellites to create a proper constellation of all encompassing ISR capabilities. We need to launch as many as we can by 2030.

The Chinese have 300 dedicated satellites as of now & the US ~ 1000 such satellites.

 

[concard]

Revised schedule isn't 3 years but by end 2026 . What you've provided is the old schedule. Whether it's possible is another issue. As far as launch vehicles go I suppose a good deal can be done vide the SSLV.

We were given tall talks about how it'd be ready for launch within 3-4 days if need be . Well time to put the money where the mouth is.

Having said that there's no break up provided on how many are meant for LEO & how many are for sun synchronous earth orbit & how many in GEO ?

Possibly the 21 satellites ISRO is developing would be for higher altitudes requiring higher thrust lauch vehicles.

From what I understand we need ~ 250 such satellites to create a proper constellation of all encompassing ISR capabilities. We need to launch as many as we can by 2030.

The Chinese have 300 dedicated satellites as of now & the US ~ 1000 such satellites.

They should launch backups for what they are launching now to be on the safer side and have components or the full satellite itself as copies in their inventory for war time usage especially when they are shot down. I don't think it's possible for any nation to arrange multiple launches to shoot down 100s of satellites. So having redudant satellites helps us in not losing the capability when we require the most.

 

[ArjunMK1A]

Revised schedule isn't 3 years but by end 2026 . What you've provided is the old schedule. Whether it's possible is another issue. As far as launch vehicles go I suppose a good deal can be done vide the SSLV.

We were given tall talks about how it'd be ready for launch within 3-4 days if need be . Well time to put the money where the mouth is.

Having said that there's no break up provided on how many are meant for LEO & how many are for sun synchronous earth orbit & how many in GEO ?

Possibly the 21 satellites ISRO is developing would be for higher altitudes requiring higher thrust lauch vehicles.

From what I understand we need ~ 250 such satellites to create a proper constellation of all encompassing ISR capabilities. We need to launch as many as we can by 2030.

The Chinese have 300 dedicated satellites as of now & the US ~ 1000 such satellites.

End of 2026 is barely 18 months. Which means every month 3 satellite launches. Do we have any news, regarding the rate of PSLV production, SSLV and GSLV. Without launch vehicle this is not possible since we are not going to rely on other country space launch providers.

 

[Varoon4]

View: https://x.com/alpha_defense/status/1943639725266370806

The ISRO satellite meaning the joint NISAR satellite, or which one?

 

[Varoon4]

View: https://x.com/alpha_defense/status/1943639725266370806

The ISRO satellite meaning the joint NISAR satellite, or which one?