SPACE

'A stepping stone for commercial ventures'

Interview with Dr. K. Kasturirangan, ISRO Chairman.

The successful flight of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C2) is the fifth launch success in a row for Dr. K. Kasturirangan, who took over as Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on March 31, 1994. Apart from the four PSLV launches, he was involved in the launch of the Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV), in May 1994. Kas turirangan, who is also Secretary, Department of Space, and Chairman, Space Commission, said that the PSLV-C2 mission was "a good stepping stone for future commercial ventures." Excerpts from the interview he gave
T.S. Subramanian in Chennai:

Does the success of PSLV-C2 demonstrate India's emphatic entry into the global market for launching passenger payloads?

The performance of the vehicle has been as per expectations. In terms of the accuracy of the injection of the satellite into the required orbit as well as the way the subsequent mission operations were carried out, it aptly proves that we have reached a level of maturity comparable to such advanced systems available elsewhere in the world. The performance of this vehicle in the last four flights adds to the confidence over its reliability and repeatability.

The two auxillary payloads, KITSAT and TUBSAT, were injected precisely (into orbit). This has demonstrated ISRO's ability to launch multiple satellites. Further, we gained valuable experience, which includes the definition of the technical interface, mis sion analysis as well as schedule and commercial considerations.

In my personal assessment, it is a good stepping stone for future commercial ventures, besides establishing the repeatable performance of the vehicle.

There was a "hold" about 30 minutes before the lift-off. What was the hitch?

S. THANTHONI

In planning a countdown we make an allowance for the overall timeline of final activities. This is reflected in the countdown as a hold. If no component of this allowance is used during the countdown, then obviously we have to adjust the activities to sy nchronise with the actual time planned for the launch. In the final countdown for this launch, since there were no anomalies for holding up the activities, the extra time allowed had to elapse. Hence the artificial hold.

Will the Belgian satellite, Proba, be flown along with the Cartosat (an Indian Remote-sensing Satellite meant for cartography) in the next PSLV flight?

As per present plans, yes. Cartosat is scheduled for launch either towards the end of 2000 or in early 2001. That is the time-frame in which we will launch Proba.

Will Proba be used for remote-sensing?

We do not know what the satellite is (for). It is a 100-kg satellite.

Recently, you spoke about the possibility of ISRO launching a lunar probe with the help of a PSLV. This has generated a lot of interest. Is the mission only in the conceptual stage?

Right now, it is an academic exercise to look at the capability of the PSLV for such a mission. Our scientists and engineers have carried out a mission analysis to see what type of spacecraft can be launched for research in lunar sciences. We can have th ree such missions: flyby, orbiting or landing.

Our present assessment is that as a flyby mission, PSLV can carry a spacecraft weighing about 260 kg. If it is an orbiting mission, the spacecraft can weigh about 130 kg. However, scientists have to identify potential mission objectives in terms of good experiments. If and when such proposals are available we can examine them in the context of a lunar mission. As of now, it is only a concept.

An article in a science magazine mentioned that ISRO had an "embarrassment of riches" of remote-sensing imageries. There is an impression that many States are not putting the imageries to good use. Top space scientists say that only Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka use them in a big way to locate groundwater, to detect crop diseases and to lay road alignments.

I don't agree with this report. Several States use the remote-sensing imageries, besides Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Maharashtra has a vibrant remote-sensing activity through the Maharashtra State Remote-sensing Centre.

Tamil Nadu has an interesting programme to use this information, say, for groundwater exploration, surface water mapping and so on. Kerala has made a modest beginning in using high-resolution satellite imageries for panchayat-level planning. Gujarat has made good progress in many areas, including agriculture and groundwater. In most of the States, we have this unique programme called Integrated Mission for Sustainable Development, where mapping activity in the district and block levels has been going on . Using the same, certain developmental activities have been initiated.

At the national level, there are many important missions such as forest mapping, drinking water mission, use of imageries for urban planning and rural road connectivity. Thus, through national and State-level efforts, the remote-sensing data are extensiv ely used today to create the necessary support and information systems.

Will there be a good demand for Oceansat-I data?

In the case of Oceansat data, over the last two or three years we have been having intensive interaction with potential user agencies. As of now, 22 major users have been identified, with specific plan of action. They include the National Institute of Oc eanography, Goa; the National Physical Oceanographic Research Institute, Kochi; fisheries research institutes; the India Meteorological Department, including the Medium Range Weather Forecasting Centre and the Institute of Tropical Meteorology; and some universities. These groups are planning extensive validation programmes with the data. Operational capability in the use of these data can be realised in about two years from now.

The next big mission of ISRO will be the launch of the Geo-stationary Satellite Launch Vehicle. What progress has been made in developing the indigenous cryogenic engine?

We are moving satisfactorily in the development of the indigenous cryogenic stage capability. We will start the preliminary tests on the engine before the end of the year. But it is a long-drawn-out effort. Depending on the early tests and their evolutio n, we can assess the timeline for further activities towards the realisation of the stage itself.

ISRO has a history of achievements - the launch of the imported Nike-Apache rockets from Thumba in Kerala, the small Rohini sounding rockets during the days of Vikram Sarabhai, SLV-3s, ASLVs and now PSLVs. But nobody has chronicled the sense of advent ure, excitement and achievement behind these missions.

Yes, it is necessary to chronicle the achievements properly. What we have done right now is interview and record on magnetic tapes the experiences of several retired ISRO scientists. In a sense, we have made them narrate the history of ISRO through their own experiences. In the process, several tonnes of tapes have been generated. I think this archive will serve as a basis for chronicling the development of the Indian space programme. We are trying to commission a few writers who can write this history. I hope they will take up this challenge.

Will this book appeal to the common man?

Yes, even as we did high technology, we have several human dimensions to this programme and several excitements that will appeal to the common man. I am sure an articulate and intelligent writer can certainly bring out these subtle aspects of the program me.

In 1980, SLV-3 put a 35-kg Rohini satellite into near-earth orbit. The German TUBSAT satellite that rode piggyback on PSLV-C2 alone weighed 45 kg. The three satellites that were deployed by PSLV-C2 together weighed 1,200 kg. How do you assess this lea p in terms of capability?

I think the 40 kg of SLV-3 in 1980 has led to this capability of 1.2 tonnes in the 1990s. All I can say is that it was the most logical beginning to the evolution of events of the future. I salute and admire those pioneers.