Astounding feats by Indian space scientists have become routine; now for next level
The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) has been piercing the skies deeper and even deeper. The latest achievement is the successful launch of the GSlV MK-III rocket on Monday from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The Monday's launch was record-breaking and historic — this space feat was, perhaps, Isro's most muscular launch vehicle till date. With this, India is all set to become self-reliant to launch heavy communication satellites and will not have to be dependent on other countries for launching heavy pay loads. The launch is significant for a few reasons. First, because this missile has been developed indigenously. This was possible only due to the relentless efforts of Isro scientists who were driven with the belief that we can do it ourselves. This mastery has, however, come over a period of time, amidst many constraints; and with many failures in between. Besides the lack of space and the required capability to develop missiles, what could be considered as a major setback for the scientists was the denial by the West of the cryogenic engine technology to India, the development of which had almost become a fait accompli. But nothing could deter our scientists.
The development of the GSlV space programme must itself be viewed as a case in point. From the time when it was first flown a decade and a half ago, it faced many challenges and setbacks. Many a time it fell into the sea or collapsed due to technical snags. From the launch of the Polar Satellite launch Vehicle, which is the country's trusted workhorse for lower earth orbit missions, to the development of the GSlV which has the capability of putting heavy communication satellites, the journey is in fact endless. Our scientists have gradually mastered this technology. A judicious mix of internal and external knowledge has been at the core of a series of developments. To this end, another reason why the GSlV launch is significant is because India now has the heaviest rocket technology. The GSlV MK-III has the capacity to lift 4,000kg into the Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit, and also to carry a 10,000 kg payload to the the low Earth Orbit. This is double the thrust and capability of the previous GSlV Mk II. Third relates to the commercial implications that the launch will bring to India and to Isro in particular. Commercially, GSlV MK-III can bring significant cost advantages and simultaneously India can also become a preferred destination for other countries that need to launch heavier satellites. But for that we need to match the standards set by the US and Russia. We must make our commercial space opportunities more buoyant. Isro needs the Government’s support to encourage private participation.
Though a late entrant into the space race with other countries, India definitely has earned the tile of becoming an Asian leader in space exploration. Symbolically, the launch is also a matter of national pride. The power of a single rocket is such that besides being an advancement of space and technology, it becomes a source of inspiration for the citizens, its leaders and, most importantly, the scientists to take on big problems and solve them in creative ways.