Still eyeing space

Higher Budget support for Isro is welcome

The 2012-13 Budget allocates Rs 6,715 crore to the Indian Space Research Organisation, or Isro, a 36 per cent increase over the allocation in 2011-12. This is a vote of confidence in the beleaguered organisation, and is especially notable given that it is still embroiled in the Devas-Antrix controversy. Breaking up the allocation allows some insight into the areas that are more in focus. The largest allocation, of Rs 2,280 crore, is to launch vehicles to put heavier satellites into geosynchronous orbit. This means developing solid- and liquid-stage boosters and cryogenic engines. A new area of research is indicated by a Rs 150-crore allocation to the development of a kerosene-powered semi-cryogenic engine. Isro has hitherto been unable to develop stable cryogenic technology. Two geosynchronous satellite launch vehicle (GSLV) missions were aborted due to the failure of systems associated with indigenous cryogenic engines. The second-largest allocation, of Rs 1,220 crore, is for the national geostationary satellite system. This seven-satellite regional network is planned as a backbone for telecommunications and broadcasting services, as well as meteorological research. It could also provide positioning services modelled on the lines of the US’ GPS.

A particularly eye-catching item is a Rs 125-crore allocation (up from Rs 10 crore in 2011-12) for the ambitious Mars Mission, which intends to deliver an orbiter to the planet with a 25-kg payload for scientific experiments. The Earth-Mars distance varies between 56 and 400 million kilometres; launch windows occur only every 26 months when the two planets are close together. The next possible launch date, November 2013, is targeted. The orbiter would arrive at the red planet in September 2014 if all goes well. It may be noted that three of Nasa’s four Mars missions failed, and so did the Russian Phobos-Grunt. Another high-profile programme is the manned mission to put a crew module system carrying two or three passengers into a 275-kilometre, near-Earth orbit. This entails developing a fully autonomous orbital vehicle. Besides this, the Chandrayaan-2 lunar orbiter is also expected to launch during 2013-2014, and the second Moon Mission has been allotted Rs 82.50 crore. The first microwave remote sensing satellite, Risat, is due for launch in April. At least three other polar satellite launch vehicle (PSLV) missions are due by March 2013. An allocation of Rs 100 crore to the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology is less high-profile but indicates official commitment to maintaining the training pipeline.

Despite Devas-Antrix, there’s no doubt that Isro has pulled more than its weight in providing the foundation for India’s telecom and broadcasting revolution. It’s also a major player in the commercial satellite market. Future payoffs in mapping and meteorological research could be immense. Isro’s technology could provide credible estimates of crop cultures, forest cover, water body enumeration and glaciation, and also help with urban planning and road alignment. Finally, although the Indian space programme is peaceful, the rocket technology required is very similar to the development of long-range missiles. (This is why North Korea’s satellite programme is viewed with universal suspicion.) In the current climate, a successful and well-supported space programme sends soft but unmistakable signals about intercontinental ballistic missile capability.