India requires at least 75 additional satellites by 2021 to meet the country’s growing demand for space-based research and applications, according to the country’s space agency.

India’s state-run space agency has begun work on IRNSS-1I, the ninth satellite of the country’s navigation constellation, following the failed launch of a backup satellite last month.

After a summer of scuffles with China along the Tibetan border, India is considering developing a satellite to improve surveillance.