SAARC satellite India’s counter to other players entering region

[CONNAN]

In a clear reference to the growing demand for Chinese space services in India’s neighbourhood, ISRO chairman A S Kiran Kumar has said that the proposal to launch the SAARC satellite was a direct result of “other players” offering their services to countries in the region.

In an interview to The Indian Express, Kiran Kumar said there were commercial as well as strategic reasons behind launching the SAARC satellite. “But more than these, in this region you also have a large number of other players trying to come in and get into operations,” he said, without naming China.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka have launched communication satellites with China’s help. Another SAARC member, Afghanistan, has leased a part of French telecommunication satellite, Eutelsat 48D. Bangladesh has hired a US-based space consultancy firm tolaunch its own satellite, Bangabandhu 1, by 2017.

India has been ignored by its neighbours even as countries from Europe and the Americas have sought ISRO’s services.

Kiran Kumar and his predecessor, K Radhakrishnan, said the demand for Indian space services increased considerably after the successful Moon and Mars missions.

Radhakrishnan said many countries are keen to carry out “joint missions” with ISRO.

The SAARC satellite, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year, is an attempt to reach out to these neighbours.

Kiran Kumar said the design and capabilities of the SAARC satellite were still being finalised. “As of now it will be a communication satellite that SAARC countries can use for their own purposes. What we are doing is to provide the capability,” he said.

The recent inclusion of Foreign Secretary in the Space Commission, the highest policy-making body in the space sector, is being seen in the context of India’s efforts to play a bigger role in the international commercial space market. Radhakrishnan said Indiahad cooperative arrangements with over 30 nations and the presence of the Foreign Secretary in the Space Commission would ensure a more effective “space diplomacy”.

Meanwhile, ISRO is progressively looking at increasing the number of commercial launches, especially to meet the growing domestic demand of private users like the DTH industry. “As we increase our capacity to make more and more launch vehicles, we will keep increasing that capacity (on the satellites for private use),” Kiran Kumar said.

Radhakrishnan said capacities on India’s existing satellites were slightly cramped because of ISRO’s policy of having back-up arrangement for its private users. “ISRO’s original concept was to have 100 per cent stand-by (space). Later, we decided that we must have at least 20 per cent stand-by space. Now, the user requirement is large, especially from DTH industry. So, some of the users have leased foreign transponders through ISRO. Foreign presence here is not such a bad thing,” he said.

SAARC satellite India’s counter to other players entering region: ISRO chief A S Kiran Kumar | The Indian Express

 

[Kinetic]

India is working on its most advanced satellite project named GSAT-11. Which will be launched in 2016. This One satellite can meet requirements of all SAARC countries excluding India.

 

[volatile]

This shows the level of trust neighbor`s in the region have on India .India shouldn't be complaining about this as each country looks for strategic interest like India

 

[Kinetic]

This shows the level of trust neighbor`s in the region have on India .India shouldn't be complaining about this as each country looks for strategic interest like India

As none of the SAARC countries ever built a satellite its for all of us to make one and use it rather than buying from out side.

 

[volatile]

As none of the SAARC countries ever built a satellite its for all of us to make one and use it rather than buying from out side.

For this to ever happen ,India needs to settle all disputes with its neighbor`s and also realize sovereignty and learn to co exist with all other wise smaller countries will move towards balancing of power

 

[Kinetic]

For this to ever happen ,India needs to settle all disputes with its neighbor`s and also realize sovereignty and learn to co exist with all other wise smaller countries will move towards balancing of power

India has much larger economic, social, military, scientific and entertainment base than rest of the SAARC countries combined. How do you expect a balance of power? Welcome to reality. This quest for balance will only ruin smaller countries who does not have economy to support such race and other countries like US and China will take advantage of this.

 

[Khalid Newazi]

As none of the SAARC countries ever built a satellite its for all of us to make one and use it rather than buying from out side.

Wrong both Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have intentions to launch own satellites into space and have signed a deal to do so. Sri Lanka already did sign a contract with a Chinese firm and Bangladesh to launch a satellite in 2018.

 

[Kinetic]

Wrong both Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have intentions to launch own satellites into space and have signed a deal to do so. Sri Lanka already did sign a contract with a Chinese firm and Bangladesh to launch a satellite in 2018.

They have singed contract for buying one not make a satellite or lunching it.

I am talking about a high end satellite like GSAT-11 which will be launched in one/two years, is enough to meet requirements of all SAARC countries together. Also data transfer rate will be much higher.

 

[Khalid Newazi]

They have singed contract for buying one not make a satellite or lunching it.

I am talking about a high end satellite like GSAT-11 which will be launched in one/two years, is enough to meet requirements of all SAARC countries together. Also data transfer rate will be much higher.

Not really, launching own satellite makes more sense, less traffic and thus a technologically inferior satellite will do (a better one can be launched when the country's economy betters its situation). It also gives the government huge control over the entertainment sector instead of a foreign government.

 

[Abingdonboy]

Wrong both Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have intentions to launch own satellites into space and have signed a deal to do so. Sri Lanka already did sign a contract with a Chinese firm and Bangladesh to launch a satellite in 2018.

Not really, launching own satellite makes more sense, less traffic and thus a technologically inferior satellite will do (a better one can be launched when the country's economy betters its situation). It also gives the government huge control over the entertainment sector instead of a foreign government.

What business do either BD or SL have in launching their own satellites? You don't see Belgium with such lofty ambitions, such misplaced priorities by both nations that clearly are motivated by nothing more than national pride.

 

[Khalid Newazi]

What business do either BD or SL have in launching their own satellites? You don't see Belgium with such lofty ambitions, such misplaced priorities by both nations that clearly are motivated by nothing more than national pride.

Butthurt that both nations intend to be self-sufficient. And if we are going that way, Germany haven't sent robots to Mars but India has whereas 58% population defecate in public. Talk about misplaced priorities.

 

[Great Sachin]

This shows the level of trust neighbor`s in the region have on India .India shouldn't be complaining about this as each country looks for strategic interest like India

we will see level of trust Pakistan has...Pakistan may refuse this proposal

 

[Abingdonboy]

Butthurt that both nations intend to be self-sufficient. And if we are going that way, Germany haven't sent robots to Mars but India has whereas 58% population defecate in public. Talk about misplaced priorities.

You really think you can compare India and BD? ISRO was established with the mandate of improving the lives of all Indians and it has done a lot to meet this role not to mention is making a tangible contribution to the scientific community.

By 2045 India's economy will be one of the three largest on the planet, BD can never compare with this, apples and oranges.

No sour grapes here I am just pointing out realities, good luck with setting up your SUPARCO equivalent, please don't insult ISRO by comparing your space agencies to them.

 

[Great Sachin]

Butthurt that both nations intend to be self-sufficient. And if we are going that way, Germany haven't sent robots to Mars but India has whereas 58% population defecate in public. Talk about misplaced priorities.

we know our priorities....so no lecture to please........look at your country...begging to India...ask them to stop that first

 

[Abingdonboy]

But most of BD's population will be using toilets unlike of India's that you need a "World Toilet Day" to promote using toilets.

You guys are obsessed with toilets, can I ask why? Is India without issues (is any nation?)? No. Is India tackling these issues? Of course.

Have I brought up per capita income and HDI of BD? Grow up.