INDIA:
India will mark today in the field of Space Diplomacy, when Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) will launch GSAT-9 or “South Asia” satellite today.
The countdown for the satellite which PM Narendra Modi describes as a priceless gift to South Asia, has already dipping and it is 4:57 pm when the satellite takes off. Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharokota, Andhra Pradesh where the influential take off will take place is seen as wide display of India’s soft Power and regional influence.
Initially called as SAARC satellite, after Pakistan dropped out of the project and India failed to approach for the same project to Afghanistan, it was renamed as GSAT-9.
How important this project is for India and South Asia let’s have a look :
- Data received by GSAT-9 will be shared among the countries Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka. It also included Pakistan and Afghanistan but after it backed out and Afghanistan couldn’t be approached full fledged they remain out.
- There will be atleast one transponder for each countries to stay connected with each other. Which means India will have a satellite which will help gain the footprints that extends all over South Asia. It is the gift for the countries in South Asia.
- The participating countries anticipated 10,000 crore benefit which is 1.5 billion $ from the 12 years lifespan of the satellite.
- Each country has to build it’s own ground infrastructure however India is willing to help and assist on Know-hows.
- It is capable of providing hot lines or critical communication system among the participating countries which are prone to natural disasters and calamities like floods. cyclones, tsunamis, earthquakes, etc.
- The 2230 Kg satellite is fabricated in three years and is purely a communication satellite costing 235 crore. Shaped in cuboid built around a cylindrical center with lifespan of more than 12 years.
- The rocket of 50 m height weighing 412 tonnes will carry “South Asia Satellite” or still dubbed as GSAT-9 by ISRO.
- The mission is a gift from India to it’s neighboring countries which was proposed by PM Narendra Modi on June 30th 2014.
- Modi’s efforts got a push even after Pakistan chose to back out saying they have their own space programs from SAARC.
- The project was renamed as South Asia Satellite, and Pakistan was not allowed to veto the development program. frequency coordination got delayed than expected which made the launch delay by almost six months than the mentioned time.
- Among the neighboring Countries three countries including Sri Lanka and Pakistan gets helped from China has full fledged communication. Afghanistan also has communication satellites made by India acquired from Europe. Bangladesh got it’s first satellite with helps from Thales.
- Experts say Pakistan has missed this opportunity as their programs are still on very primitive stages despite the fact that Islamabad actually launched it’s first rocket five years back and also it’s Space Agency Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) is older than ISRO.
- Pakistan has launched five satellites but today lacks heavy duty launchers and fabrications.
- This is the first counter to China from India for it’s increasing influence over the neighboring countries. This is 21st century race of satellites, which China already holds the first mover advantage.