India Will Ensure Its Leadership In The Space Arena
ISRO’s quest for an Indian Space Station of its own is now no more a dream but moving towards reality. It is also required if for nothing else then just for a symbolic representation of Indian scientific advancement. After 2028 the International Space Station presently functional, is likely to be wound up and the only crewed space station up there is likely to be that of China.
In recent years, India’s space prowess have been expanding beyond having planetary missions to talking about anti-satellite missile tests, creating a Defence Space Agency, and now its own space station by 2030. We have already the first three mile stones and now will come the Space Station.
The International Space Station (ISS) is a functional space station which houses six astronauts at a time, who conduct experiments in biology, physics, astronomy, and meteorology. The 360-tonne space station orbits the earth about 400 km above in a low Earth Orbit. It is a multinational collaboration among the European Space Agency, NASA, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Canada CSA, and Roscosmos of Russia.
In contrast ISRO station is likely to weigh around 15-20 tonnes, it will be used for microgravity tests, and it will accommodate just a few scientists for 15-20 days at a time. As per Kailasavadivoo Sivan boss of ISRO, this plan is the logical next step after sending the first Gagan Yatri into Space by 2022.
The space station succeed the Gaganyaan Mission which involves sending three Indian Gagan Yatris to space for seven days in lower earth orbit. The space Station once in orbit will also have Scientists for conducting research apart from the Crew. The space station will help to accelerate the development of reusable rockets, in-orbit docking systems, and further manned missions. The station will create new opportunities for other spacecraft to dock as well as allowing for cross-collaboration experiments.
ISRO certainly has the technical capabilities now the next step is the provisioning of budget. NASA and others spent nearly Rs 8,50000 crores on the ISS and annual maintenance comes to around Rs 50000 crores. In contrast India will achieve the same results with a very low expenditure as demonstrated by the MANGAL MISSION.
So all the “ heartburns “ by those who actually think that it is a big waste and also for those who are “ surprised “ at this Indian audacity should calm down because once we have decided to do it, then we will do it. Remember, the first Indian rocket into space sent from Thumba Station was carried to the launch pad on a bullockcart.
However once ISRO masters all the technology then we will be open to collaboration with others. The station will not only create new opportunities for other spacecraft to dock as well as allowing for cross-collaboration experiments and also carry out cutting edge scientific research in an environment that cannot be simulated on earth.
The Indian Space Research Organisation, has decided to use the fourth stage of its workhorse Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle to find ways to dock a robotic arm with a spacecraft. So by 2030 ISRO should have its own space station and India will be the fourth country, after Russia, the US, and China, to set up a space station. Also leaving no one in any kind of doubt regarding our ability and the WILL POWER to defend ourselves, India will have a full fledged functional military Space Command.
The expenditure on space station will be worth it, as space technology already impacts our daily communications, agriculture management, disaster management, land management, and national security. As ISRO former chairman G Madhavan Nair has stated that establishing a space station is a must for ‘keeping the leadership in the space arena’.
