PSlV launches 20 satellites in one mission
The Indian Space Research Organisation has been flying high in recent months, and the latest feather in its now well-decorated cap is the successful launch of 20 satellites into orbit, aboard the Polar Satellite launch Vehicle (PSlV-C34), on Wednesday, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The PSlV is India’s trusted work-horse and has launched several satellites into space — but Wednesday’s launch was a record-breaking, for never before had an Indian rocket launched as many as 20 satellites in a single mission.
And that’s not all. While the primary payload was India’s own 727kg Cartosat-2 series satellite, which will be used for earth observation, the PSlV also carried an assortment of payloads for foreign Governments and companies including from Indonesia, Canada, Germany and the United States. Notably, there was also a pathfinder satellite for Google’s Terra Bella Earth observation division. Wednesday’s flight was the 36th mission of the PSlV since it made its debut in 1993, and its fourth mission this year alone. Overall, the PSlV has launched 113 satellites, of which only 39 are Indian and the remaining 74 from foreign countries.
This is an especially interesting development for ISRO and, indeed, India, because over the years, the space organisation has persevered against all odds — from Western sanctions after nuclear tests in the 1970s that hobbled its progress, to budget crunches today — to emerge at the top of its game. And now, slowly but steadily, as commercial launches are becoming a significant revenue stream for ISRO, it is hoped that this burgeoning industry will be given the support it deserves from the Government and other stakeholders. On its part, ISRO should focus on the Geo-Synchronous launch Vehicle which will allow it to launch larger payloads, while the Government can do its bit by shaping up a space legislation and welcoming private players, who can together with ISRO create a robust space industry like in the US.
The Modi Government is well-placed for this, as in its two years in power India's profile as a space-faring nation has expanded. In fact, space cooperation has now been added to Delhi’s diplomatic mix. For example, the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System, India's own GPS satellite which was launched earlier this year, is expected to cover some parts of our neighbouring countries as well. Then there is the satellite for the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, which is to be launched in December this year. Notably, the Saarc satellite being pushed today was proposed in 1995. This necessitates a word of caution: In South Asia, cooperation in space, as in almost every other aspect, from trade to transport, has suffered because of socio-economic and political concerns. And those problems will have to be tackled head on. However, with countries such as Sri lanka and Bangladesh seeking to leverage space technologies, India has the opportunity to lead the way.