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  • Fifty Years of the Outer Space Treaty: Tracing the Journey

    • Publisher: Pentagon Press
      2017

    Developments in the outer space arena post the erstwhile USSR launching the first man-made satellite Sputnik in space on 4 October 1957 have transformed the world significantly. In order to ensure the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes, the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) was set up by the United Nations General Assembly in 1959.

    • ISBN 978-81-8274-948-1,
    • Price: ₹. 995
    • E-copy available
    2017

    Mahesh Belavi asked: What is the role of IRNSS in India’s security?

    Ajey Lele replies: The Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) could be considered as an alternative to the Global Positioning System (GPS), though in a limited sense. IRNSS is a regional system, whereas GPS is global. IRNSS is useful both in civilian and strategic domains. It could provide navigational support to various military requirements like ground, sea and aerial movement; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) activities; target identification and assistance in launching of weapon systems.

    North Korea: Launching a Satellite to Demonstrate ICBM Capability

    North Korea: Launching a Satellite to Demonstrate ICBM Capability

    North Korea may not have reached the level of expertise to develop an ICBM indigenously. But, in terms of declaration of intent, it has achieved all that it wants.

    February 18, 2016

    Rocket Launchers for Small Satellites

    Rocket Launchers for Small Satellites

    The increase in demand for small satellites is not supported by the best launch options. Various existing options have huge limitations. It is believed that ‘proliferation’ of small satellites technology is possible only if reliable and cost-effective launch options are made available.

    February 04, 2016

    GSAT-6: India’s Second Military Satellite Launched

    GSAT-6: India’s Second Military Satellite Launched

    India’s increasing investments in space for strategic purposes clearly indicates the rising relevance of space assets for the armed forces.

    August 31, 2015

    India and the Satellite Launch Market

    India and the Satellite Launch Market

    While India has a reliable vehicle for launching less than 2 tonne satellites into LEO, it lacks the necessary infrastructure to obtain larger commercial benefits from this capability.

    July 16, 2015

    India getting closer to a satellite navigational system

    The uniqueness of the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) is to have a system with satellites in the geostationary orbit. India needs to exploit the ‘regional nature’ of the IRNSS to the fullest and effectively engage various states from Africa, Asia and Oceania region by using ‘satellite navigation diplomacy’.

    April 07, 2014

    India Enters New Era of Space Navigation

    One of the biggest advantages of the navigational satellite, once the system gets fully operational, is to reduce the dependency on the GPS. This would make India largely self-sufficient in the navigational field.

    July 08, 2013

    Baruna asaked: Why do technologically advanced countries like the UK, France, Canada, etc., use Indian facilities to launch their satellites?

    Ajey Lele replies: Amongst these countries, Canada is not a space-faring nation, means a nation without having own satellite launching capability. France has developed significant amount of capabilities to launch various categories of satellites, however, their key focus is to launch heavy satellites (the French company, Arianespace, founded in 1980 as the world's first commercial launch services provider, has launched many satellites. So far they have launched 15 satellites for India. They launch satellites which are mostly in 4 to 5 ton category and they are put in geostationary orbit, i.e., at the altitude of 36,000 km above the earth's surface).

    India has developed expertise in the area of launching small and medium satellites in low/medium orbits (say up to the altitude of 1000 km weighing 1.5 ton or less). During present launch (PSLV C-20), six out of seven satellites were less than 150 kg in weight (four satellites were weighing between 14 to 3 kgs) and were put at an altitude of approximately 780 to 790 km. One satellite SERAL (409 kg) is an India-France collaborative effort. Also, normally India offers cost-effective launching facilities and, more importantly, Indian facilities are most reliable, hence the choice.

    China to Launch Satellite for Sri Lanka: India’s Missed Opportunity?

    India has much to learn from China with regard to using space as an ‘instrument of influence’ and also needs to expand the global footprint of its expertise.

    November 16, 2012

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