Includes bibliographical references (p. [305]-312).

Space technologies assist in driving innovations, expanding knowledge, and enhancing information. An investment in the future, they are an important tool of social and economic development.

The first ever economic analysis of the space programme in India, this book discusses
the development of satellites and launch vehicles, uses of communication and remote sensing satellites, and demonstrates Indias comparative advantage in producing transponders. For each sector in the application segmentbroadcasting, telecommunications, meteorology, and remote sensingthis study identifies contributions of space technology in terms of cost savings, social benefits, and improvements in the quality of products/services offered.

The book emphasizes the need to take the benefits of services to ultimate users in an efficient manner and opens the door for innovative applications of space data in areas such as natural resource management, forecasting of crop yields, urban planning, pollution monitoring, and environmental accounting. It recommends better management of information to meet current challenges of globalization, enhance market potential for space technologies, and the research potential of space economics.