The
ongoing "Asia Pivot" by United States is rapidly changing the
regional dynamics of the Indo - Pacific region, and nowhere is it more visible than
the sphere of cooperation in defence and space research. Recently Canadian and
Australian defence co-operation and ties with India reached unprecedented
highs, a chain of event termed as the "Rise of the Anglosphere" by
historian Walter Russell Mead.
However,
the successive failure of Indian GSLV missions, combined with India's stubborn
secrecy and fierce independence in the space sector is giving rise to doubts
about the scope of further future co-operations. Although the failure of this
signature launching vehicle is attributed to technical glitches, it is highly
symbolic of the greater lack of clarity, purpose and direction in the Indian
space program.
The
Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) was originally intended to be
India's signature launching vehicle, eventually to launch India's INSAT type
satellites, and reduce dependence on foreign rockets. In the early nineties,
with the collapse of the Soviet Union, India was forced to develop independent
launching vehicles. India originally tried to buy the technology to build a
cryogenic upper stage from Russia, but was denied, under pressure from United
States and other Western countries.
With
the development of indigenous Cryogenic engine, India became the sixth country
in the World to posses the technology, which could be potentially used for
civilian and military purposes. Indian GSLV generally uses L40 liquid strap on
boosters and old Soviet KVD 1 upper stage. But even though Indian military and
ballistic missile programs were successful, as recently evident with the
successful launch of Agni V ICBM, its civilian rocket and space program were
mediocre at best.
The
Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), a launcher vehicle used previously to
launch civilian satellites was used as a model of GSLV programs, but it was not
successful. Multiple versions of GSLV were launched in the last decade, with
more than half of them failing due to technical difficulties. A brief stint of
success in 2003- 04 was followed by successive failures. The vehicle failed to
reach orbit, lost control of liquid fuel booster, veered of designated
trajectory and had to be destroyed over the Bay of Bengal, or failed to deliver
payload in the last four missions. With an unprecedented failure rate, GSLV is
gradually on its way to be the costliest misadventure of Indian strategic and
space sector. The eighth launch is scheduled in 2013.
The
causes of these failures are minor, according to the official bureaucratic
rhetoric, and were attributed to minor technical malfunctions. There was no
clear response to queries as to why five out of seven launches have resulted in
total or partial failure. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is also
secretive and tight-lipped about capability and weight of the satellites and
why India is still unsuccessful in launching communication satellites more than
3000 KG, 36 Transponder class, whereas the nearby competitors like Japan and
China, not to mention USA, Russia and European Space Agency have already moved
on to triple that size.
There
is no clarity and accountability when it comes to tax payer's money spent on
space research, and no heads roll even when there are repeated failures. The
lack of purpose is also evident as India lacks fixed and dedicated plan in the
Space sector. In an interview earlier this year, Dr. K, Radhakrishnan, chairman
of ISRO, stated that India's main concern and thrust is in the area of
applications and not manned space flights and space stations, unlike Russia, US
or China. India with its massive population and democratic set up needs more
communication satellite to cater to domestic needs, unlike China which is
heavily centralized and controlled.
However
that argument and logic falls flat as India is already planning for its second
lunar mission in early 2014, Chandrayaan 2, and possibly a manned space mission
by 2017.In January 2011, the U.S. officially removed export controls on several
subsidiaries of India's Defense Research and Development Organization and the
ISRO. It was a clear signal that the United States would like to chart a new
future of space co-operation with India.
American
think tank Heritage Foundation also published a report around same time,
calling for enhanced space and missile defence co-operation between India,
Australia and United States, including satellite defence and interceptors,
theatre based missile defence and most importantly future co-operation and
joint space programs. However there seems to be lukewarm response and
enthusiasm from the Indian side.
India's
notorious reliance on Russian hardware is also a major hindrance when it comes
to further cooperation with the West. Only with the benefit of hindsight would
we be able to determine the trajectory of India's space co-operation with the
West, or whether it takes any specific direction, but at this present point of
time, it is safe to assume, that without any clear plan, or white paper,
India's current space prospects are quite grim, and will continue in the
chaotic and headless way for the near foreseeable future.
For further information
visit: http://www.space-travel.com/reports/Failure_Of_IndiaS_Big_Rocket_Project_Is_Symbolic_Of_Deep_Structural_Problems_999.html
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