INDIA IN SPACE

South Asia Analysis Group

Paper no. 349

28. 10. 2001

INDIA IN SPACE: Launching of Technology Experiment Satellite

by S.Gopal

The placing of the Technology Experiment Satellite (TES) on a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Oct 22 is significant for India in more ways than one. This is the second launch of the Indian made PSLV which placed a 1108 Kgm payload in the sun synchronous orbit. The earlier launch in Oct 1994 had placed a 805 Kgms satellite in orbit. The current launch has injected two more satellites -- the Bispectral and Infra red Remote Detection (BIRD) of Germany and Project for On Board Autonomy (PROBA) of Belgium – in orbit. By placing the PROBA in an elliptical orbit of 638 Kms apogee (farthest to the earth ) after the other two were placed in the circular orbit of 568 Kms ISRO has displayed its newly acquired capability of a multiple orbit injection of multiple payloads. ISRO eventually hopes to use this launch vehicle to place more than 3000 Kgm. satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) of 400 Km. and 1000 Kgm satellites into Geo Synchronous transfer Orbit. With the expected indigenous development of the cryogenic engines giving India the capability of Geo Stationary Satellite Launches India would rank equal with other space faring nations.

A noteworthy aspect of the launch on 22^nd October , is the Indian Payload. The Technology Experiment Satellite (TES) has a   pan chromatic camera capable of producing images of 1 Metre resolution meaning that two objects separated only by a distance of one metre could be distinguished in the images produced by this camera. The other two important additions in this satellite are the indigenously made solid state recorder and the X band phased array antenna. The camera optics are based on two mirror –on axis.

Ensuring simplified designs and low weight spacecraft the solid state recorder helps in down loading data captured by the satellite when it was not in the visible range of the Indian ground stations. The Phased array antenna with X band helps in directional downloading of data in a narrow beam.

The revisit capability of this satellite which would normally be around 20 days could be reduced to 3 days by the satellite tilting technology. It has a step and stay capability to look at the same spot for longer duration.

The most interesting aspect of this camera is its resolution of 1 metre. Apart from use in various remote sensing civilian applications which may need this resolution, it gives for the first time an independent capability of high quality imagery intelligence, a vital input in assessing the strategic threats for India from hostile powers. Having two neighbours with nuclear and missile capabilities such intelligence obtainable almost on real time basis( not older than 3 days) would be value added. Even if an imagery of this resolution can be obtained from companies like the Space Imaging operating the IKONOS satellite with I metre imagery they may not have the desired recency. More importantly, these companies may be pressurized by their Govts. into denying these imageries at most crucial moments. A one metre resolution would give the capability of detecting even vehicles leave alone Surface to Surface (SSM) and Surface to Air (SAM) missile sites. While aerial photographs could indeed give excellent imageries with very good resolutions , aerial imaging of hostile territories is not an easy task. At best, one could get an oblique imagery of the denied territory upto certain distance from the border, taken from the safety of one’s own territory. The new satellite could even provide accurate intelligence on terrorist camps across the border and troop and vehicle movements. In short the intelligence capability of this country would have taken a significant leap forward with the operationalisation of this satellite.

ISRO has come a long way since placing a 40 kgm satellite in Low Earth Orbit with the first satellite launch vehicle SLV3. Denial of technologies through embargos seems to have brought out the best among its scientists and technicians who have achieved a world class level of technology. Its achievements stand out among many a muddling organization in this country in the Science and Technology field , dishing out the excuse of sanctions for their plight. Perhaps some of these organizations could learn from the management techniques of this low   profile organization which involves, apart from innovative approach , in the words of its Chairman Dr. Kasturirangan, “ developing a new culture in which large group of persons in diverse activities learn to work together for the accomplishment of a single objective “. Touche’ – What an accomplishment it is !

(The writer is a former Special Secy, Cabinet Secretariat, Govt. of India)

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