ISRO now needs Government’s support for funds
The successful launch of the Polar Satellite launch Vehicle-C37 (PSlV-C37) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, is indeed a landmark achievement for India's space mission and the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) deserves compliments for carrying out this space exploration programme with a frugal budget. The PSlV has been the country’s trusted workhorse and there have been many achievements, but this surely takes the cake because, with this launch India has surpassed Russia, which had earlier set a record in June 2014 with the launch of 37 satellites from a single mission. The US had in November 2013, orbited 29 satellites in one go. The number of satellites launched by India has almost tripled and the benchmark has now been raised manifold to 104 satellites from a single rocket. Crucial among the satellites was the launch of the rocket's primary payload — the indigenous earth observation satellite CartoSat-2D — which weighed around 714kg. The PSlV also carried an assortment of payloads for foreign Governments and companies, including satellites from Israel, Kazakhstan, the Netherlands, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates and 96 from the United States, weighing a total of 664kg. The real challenge for Isro was to launch multiple small satellites from one rocket into different orbits, which it successfully did within a span of just 18 minutes. It was the 39th mission of the PSlV since it made its debut in 1993; and its first mission this year.
The achievement is remarkable not only for the space organisation, Isro, but also for our Government because it has been a long journey for both as they strove hard, fighting all odds — from Western sanctions after nuclear tests in the 1970s, to budget crunches — to emerge as an important international player, entering into the elite space club as a reliable manufacturer of low-cost quality satellites.
The space organisation is making steady progress. It has never disappointed us with its commercial launches, which are low on cost and being admired by all for the scope to generate significant revenue. Prime Minister Narendra Modi once remarked that India had spent less to reach Mars than Hollywood spent on a mere film on space mission, Gravity, which cost $100 million. However, given the low budget under which the organisation operates, it is expected that this burgeoning industry will receive the Government's support — which it rightly deserves. The low-cost boundary may not always be available for us, given the US's decision to develop latest technology which might reduce costs drastically. On its part, Isro should focus on its next orbiter mission to Jupiter and Venus, while the Government must do its bit and formulate a space legislation. Side by side, it should also make some provisions for the entry of private stakeholders who, together with Isro, can create a healthy space industry which can surpass Nasa, the US’s independent space agency. There can be no doubt that the Indian space industry has flourished over the years and is seeing better and better days. The only lacuna is the provision of funds. With the launch of PSlV-C37, India has just proved that it has the capability to lead the way. It now needs the Government’s support.