India adds oomph to its space race
By Siddharth Srivastava
NEW DELHI - An event that will substantially enhance India's space and missile
capabilities has gone almost unnoticed. After struggling for decades, India has
for the first time successfully tested an indigenously developed cryogenic
engine that enables efficient and effective delivery of heavy communication
satellites as well as nuclear payloads via long-distance ballistic missiles.
The cryogenic engine uses liquid oxygen and super-cooled hydrogen that improves
a rocket's thrust and power. To date, the
cryogenic technology has been restricted to an elite "cryo club" of China,
Russia, Europe, Japan and United States.
The engines are required to launch the geo-synchronous satellites that are used
in communications, and it's a lucrative business that India will now be in a
position to exploit.
On the military front, the cryogenic-propelled motors will be tested on India's
long-range Agni atmospheric intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) . The
other option is liquid-fuel engines, but such technology is not considered
adequate for quick-launch military action and long-distance delivery of big
payloads.
On the space front, the cryogenic engine will replace the Russian-supplied
upper stage of India's three-stage geo-synchronous satellite launch vehicles
(GSLVs), capable of launching heavy payloads for civilian purposes.
The cryogenic test was conducted last month for the full flight duration of 720
seconds at the state-run Liquid Propulsion Systems Center in the southern
coastal state of Tamil Nadu.
According to the state-controlled Indian Space Research Organization's (ISRO)
chairman, G Madhavan Nair, the cryogenic engine for the next mission of GSLV
(GSLV-D3) in 2008 is being prepared and going well.
The cryogenic upper-stage project was initiated by the ISRO in the 1990s after
Russia dropped plans to transfer the technology to India due to pressure from
the US.
However, with the US as a new strategic ally in the Asian region, India's
efforts will become easier. It goes without saying that India now has
Washington's tacit approval, in keeping with its efforts to balance China in
the region.
Cryogenic technology will also allow the ISRO to compete in the lucrative
international market for the commercial launch of satellites, in competition
with China, Europe and Russia. The ISRO is looking at at least two commercial
GSLV and three to four Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) payloads every
year.
Cryogenic-propelled motors are also critical for an entirely new class of
launch vehicles called the GSLV Mk-III, which will take communication
technologies, such as distance education, weather forecasts and mapping, to the
next level of speed and resolution. The government has approved Rs25 billion
(US$532 million) for the launch of a 4,400 kilogram satellite.
Unlike the state-run Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) that
has been criticized for its inefficiency and slow implementation, ISRO is one
government agency that has delivered remarkably well despite international
sanctions, a factor which has enabled India's missile program to progress.
Missile capability
Thus, it is no coincidence that almost simultaneously with the test of the
cryogenic engine, New Delhi has also announced that it is ready to test a 6,000
kilometer nuclear-capable ICBM, the Agni-IV, next year. The missile will have
the capability of destroying targets deep within China and it can be stationed
in southern India, placing it out of range of all of Pakistan's known missiles.
There is speculation that India is developing an ICBM named "Surya" with a
10,000 kilometer range, thus bringing Europe in range, though the plans are
unlikely to be revealed before the India-US nuclear deal on civilian nuclear
cooperation is finally sealed.
India has already developed short, medium and long-range ballistic attack
missiles, Akash, Prithvi and Agni, capable of delivering nuclear payloads.
According to some defense experts, India now has the capacity to test a range
of nuclear military technology in an efficient manner, almost on a par with the
best in the world and it is far ahead of neighboring Pakistan.
Indeed, there has been a flurry of activity on the missile development front in
India over the past few weeks. India has accelerated its ballistic missile
defense (BMD) program and recently successfully tested an advanced air defense
(AAD) "interceptor" missile over the Bay of Bengal, on the eastern coast. India
thus joined an exclusive three-country club of the US, Russia and Israel that
possess such capability.
The new "endo-atmospheric interceptor" put down a simulated electronic missile
and a week later struck down a live modified Prithvi ballistic missile.
According to experts, India's interceptor missile could surpass the American
Patriot Advanced Capability-3 system.
India's focus on the BMD is largely due to perceived threats from Pakistan,
given the volatile domestic situation and threat from Islamic militants.
Close on the heels of India's AAD test, Pakistan test-fired its indigenously
developed low-flying, terrain-hugging cruise missile Hatf VII (Babur). The 700
kilometer range missile with near stealth capabilities can hit targets deep
inside India. The missile has been previously tested.
In reaction from India, Lieutenant General Noble Thamburaj, general officer
commanding-in-chief of Southern Command, said though the US was constantly
monitoring Islamabad to check any missile threat fitted with nuclear warheads,
India is not taking any chances about the arsenal falling in the hands of rogue
elements.
Two days after Pakistan's test-fire, India reviewed its surface-to-air
nuclear-capable multi-target, 25-kilometer range Akash missile at Balasore in
Orissa province. The missile can carry a 50 kilogram nuclear warhead was tested
to hasten its use in the India Air Force.
India is also likely to be ready with the 40-80-kilometer range air-to-air
missile, Astra, by 2011, making it the sixth country possessing the lethal
deterrent.
Siddharth Srivastava is a New Delhi-based journalist.
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