Comment

The recent success of the Indian Space Research Organisation in launching 10 satellites into orbit has proved both the talent and the organisation skills of those who head India’s space programme. It also means that India is ready to take on bigger space missions and indeed, Chandrayaan-1 — an unmanned lunar exploration — is being finalised. ISRO chairman G Madhavan Nair talks to Parsa Venkateshwar Rao Jrabout ISRO’s PSLV launches, being competitive in the global satellite launch business, and the new challenges ahead for India’s space programme.

What is the significance of ISRO’s success in slotting 10 satellitesinto orbit?
The launch of PSLV-C9 was significant because deployment of 10 satellites — two big Indian ones and eight small foreign ones — is a critical function which has to be done very precisely, ensuring that no collision takes place. This we achieved successfully ,something which very few countries have done. PSLV has already proved its reliability, versatility and ability to launch satellites into different orbits. Hence this is not a test case for improved technological competence but a demonstration of the robustness of the design and the commitment of ISRO personnel.

The PSLV, we are told, is a crucial component of the Moon Mission or Chandrayaan.
PSLV will be used as the launch vehicle for the Chandrayaan-1 mission. It is an improved version of the present PSLV and employs extended strap-on motors which can be loaded with 12 tonnes of propellant instead of the nine used in the present version.

Is the present stage the final development phase for PSLV?
The development of PSLV has been completed to a large extent. However, minor modifications in the configuration and marginal improvements by way of using better technologies will be attempted.

It is often asked whether there is any justification for sending a man to the moon, given that it was done 40 years ago.
The Chandrayaan-1 mission is an unmanned lunar mission, by which we are trying to look at unexplored regions of the lunar surface. It is aimed at high resolution remote sensing of the moon in visible, near infra red, low and high energy x-ray regions to prepare a three-dimensional atlas of the lunar surface and chemical mapping of the moon.

Do you think ISRO has now reached the position where the launching of satellites is a viable commercial option?
ISRO has demonstrated the cost-effectiveness and reliability of the launch vehicle. We are in talks with prospective customers for launching satellites on PSLV. In the years to come, ISRO’s launch vehicles will be positioned attractively with respect to competing vehicles.

What is the challenge that ISRO faces in terms of state-of-art technology now that the Americans are planning to resume their moon mission?
ISRO will not be challenged because the US is resuming moon missions. ISRO has realised that outer space is the next frontier for human kind and we have plans and programmes to make our presence felt.

How does the Indian space programme compare with China’s?
In terms of capability in satellite technology, India is on par with the best in the world.In the area of applications of space technology for national development, ISRO is considered as a leader by the international space community. Once our indigenous cryogenic stage is flight-tested and GSLV-Mk III is made operational, we will have a stronghold in the area of launch vehicles.

What is the extent of the private sector’s participation in the space programme?
It has been the stated policy of ISRO/DOS to maximally utilise the capabilities available in Indian industries.Nearly 60 per cent of our budget is spent on Indian industries for realising space systems and other hardware required for launch vehicles and satellites.

Are there spin-offs for Indian manufacturing from the space programme?
The Indian space programme has developed new materials and processes such as specialty polymers, metal alloys, chemicals and components that go into a variety of industries, and high reliability and quality assurance practices have benefited industries to upgrade and diversify.

Is ISRO’s success attracting young scientific talent?
The projects of ISRO encompass critical cutting edge technology. ISRO provides congenial atmosphere for good R&D work, technical challenges, and job satisfaction, besides being a matter of pride for the nation. This should attract young talent.