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Local cryogenic technology; Indian space programmes global options....
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Over the years,the Indian scientific establishment has faced various hurdles because of non-cooperation in technology transfer by major powers. India was denied various technologies because of its nuclear posture for many decades. When the Indo-US nuclear deal was signed in 2005,it was argued that this one event is going to end Indias so-called technological apartheid. One great advantage of this apartheid was that the Indian scientific community was forced to involve itself fully in developing various key technologies indigenously. Indias nuclear weapons programme is one example. Now,Indias premier space organisation,ISRO,is planning to demonstrate indigenously developed cryogenic technology.
On April 15,ISRO is planning to launch a 49m tall Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-D3),with an indigenously developed cryogenic engine. Such engines are the highest performing rocket motors and provide high fuel efficiency. During the early 90s,then-Russian President Boris Yeltsin had offered a $350 million deal between ISRO and the Russian space agency,Glavkosmos,to deliver cryogenic engines and space technology for Indias space programme. However,this promise was not delivered because of pressure from the United States. The US authorities believed that any technological transfer in the field of cryogenics could be diverted to ballistic missile development knowledge. With the ISRO-Glavkosmos proposed cooperation,the US believed that such exports violated the rules of the missile technology control regime,which banned the sale of production technology for missiles which are able to carry a payload of 500 kilograms to a distance of 300 kilometres or more. For the last few years,India has used off the shelf purchased cryogenic engines from Russia for some of its satellite launches (luckily this deal was not objected to,too).
Cryogenic technology has a long history. It was being studied even during the period of World War I. However,even today,only five countries the US,Russia,Japan,France and China possess this technology. This technology could,in a way,be said to have its origin in missile technology. Scientists of the erstwhile USSR were looking for more powerful boosters during the 40s and 50s for their nuclear warheads and this demanded investments in cryogenics. In 1957,the USSR successfully tested the R-7 Semyorka intercontinental ballistic missile (ICMB). Its global range and large payload (around 5 tonnes) demonstrated its effectiveness as a strategic delivery system for nuclear warheads. More importantly,it also demonstrated its use as an excellent basis for a space vehicle.
For India,the launch of the GSLV-D3 mission on April 15 is of big significance. It took 19 years for ISRO to put the cryogenic technology in place. This period looks very long but it needs to be understood that any scientific experimentation takes time for its fructification. This technology is crucial for putting communication satellites weighing more than 2,000 kg into a geo-synchronous transfer orbit (GTO).
A successful test on April 15 would also demonstrate ISROs capability to launch heavier communication satellites weighting 4,500 to 5,000 kg in future.
This launch would attract the attention of many international customers. Already,ISRO has undertaken commercial launches for countries like Italy and Israel with its PSLV and by this launch it would also demonstrate its capability to launch heavy satellites in the orbit. Many developing countries are keen to have their own communication satellites in space to provide them a worldwide link-up of radio,telephone,and television and may request ISRO to conduct such launches for them.
During the last 19 years,while developing these cryogenic engines,ISRO must have developed many other complex technologies like operating rotary pumps and turbines that run at 42,000 revolutions per minute (rpm) at very low temperatures. Also,the entire process must have helped them understand material sciences better. All this will help their future space missions.
Will the development of cryogenic engines help Indias missile programme? That is not likely since the DRDO already has a successful missile programme and a well-articulated missile roadmap for the future. On the other hand,ISRO runs a civilian space programme. Today,transfer of this technology to military purposes could put ISRO back under the international sanctions regime. Even today,ISRO depends on other countries to import critical components and it would not like to swim in troubled waters. However,since the technology is being developed within the country,indirect benefits cannot be ruled out.
The time has come for India to look beyond ISROs success in the space arena. The era of bloodless warfare is fast approaching. Recent reports indicating large-scale cyber attacks on Indian soil having a Chinese signature are alarming. China has already spelt its designs in space by launching its own satellite in 2007. Space is the battleground of the future. India needs to understand that,in the 21st century,it is not only important to launch satellites,but also prepare to guard them against any enemy attack.
The writer is a research fellow at the Institute for Defence Studies & Analyses,Delhi
express@expressindia.com
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