Power Dynamics of India’s Space Program

ABSTRACT

Space power is a relatively nascent discourse that is gaining importance globally. This article examines India’s space program within the global context in order to understand the shifting power balance in the space arena. The article first clarifies contextual variants of the definition of power, recalibrating those formulations to the space context. This is followed by an examination of the Indian space program—its evolution historically, current limitations, and increasing relevance today. Space is a versatile domain and, due to its interconnected nature, it impacts the world. Hence, this article also examines global engagements and collaborative efforts being made across borders, and the strategic modalities involved in traversing such sensitive diplomatic terrain. Finally, the article concludes by reiterating the soft power and hard power potentials of the space arena, whose versatility contributes towards intrinsic national growth and extrinsic power projections.

Notes

1. Joseph Nye, Bound to Lead: The Changing Nature of American Power (New York, NY: Basic Books, 1990).

2. “Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms,” (Washington, DC: Joint Chiefs of Staff, U.S. Department of Defense), amended through 15 February 2016, http://www.dtic.mil/doctrine/new_pubs/jp1_02.pdf (accessed June 2016).

3. David Lupton, On Space Warfare, A Space Power Doctrine (Maxwell Air Force Base, Air University Press, 1998).

4. Ibid.; and J.J. Jusell, Space Power Theory: A Rising Star (Maxwell Air Force Base, Air University, 1998), http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/acsc/98-144.pdf (accessed January 2012).

5. J.E. Oberg, Space Power Theory (Air University and Air War College, U.S. Air Force), http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/space/books/oberg/ (accessed September 2016).

6. Ward Morehouse, Science in India (Bombay, India: Popular Prakashan, 1971), 27–28.

7. For the evolution of the remote sensing program, see M.G. Chandrasekhar et al., “Indian Remote Sensing Programme,” Geocarto International 6, no. 3 (September 1991): 59–62, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/265650947_Indian_Remote_Sensing_Programme (accessed November 2016).

8. The etymology of this word is derived from the ancient Indian language Sanskrit and it means space.

9. No program involving human spaceflight is officially declared by India. However, India is making various initial preparations, such as the development of RLV technology, and researching other technologies that are required for human spaceflight.

10. The Hindu Business Line, 11 January 2015, http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/todays-paper/scramjet-isro-makes-major-breakthrough/article1721528.ece (accessed June 2015).

11. M.R. Kurup et al., “Development of Solid Propellant Technology,” Sadhand 12, no. 3 (March 1988): 229–234.

12. Indian Space Research Organization, http://www.isro.gov.in/isro-technology-transfer (accessed May 2016).

13. Indian Space Research Organization, http://indiansnews.com/health/isros-rocket-technology-to-power-human-hearts/ (accessed May 2016).

14. Pallava Bagla, “ISRO Gel Can Save Soldiers in Siachen,” The Tribune, 4 April 2016, http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/isro-gel-can-save-soldiers-in-siachen/217457.html (accessed June 2016).

15. Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, “Advanced Space Technology Development Cell (ASTDC),” https://www.iist.ac.in/research/astdc-vision (accessed June 2016).

16. Indian Space Research Organization, “International Cooperation,” http://www.isro.gov.in/international-cooperation (accessed June 2016).

17. Antrix Corporation, “International Customer Satellites Launched,” http://www.antrix.gov.in/business/international-customer-satellites-launched (accessed August 2016).

18. “U.S. Removes ISRO and DRDO from Entities List,” Indian Express, 25 January 2011, http://indianexpress.com/news/us-removes-isro-and-drdo-from-entities-list/741974/ (accessed November 2016).

19. Ajey Lele and Munish Sharma, “Indo-US Space Cooperation: Synergies and Differences,” 30 September 2014, http://southasiamonitor.org/detail.php?type=sl&nid=9137 (accessed June 2016).

20. “Space Collaboration between India and France: Towards a New Era,” Asie Visions 78 (September 2015): 1–30, https://www.ifri.org/sites/default/files/atoms/files/av78_lele_space_collaboration_india_france_final.pdf (accessed November 2016), and Chandrasekhar et al. (note 7).

21. The Kargil War of 1999 took place between India and Pakistan along the line of control (Kashmir region) and often gets referred to as a “half war.”

22. India and Russia are likely to conclude an agreement to co-develop a fifth-generation fighter aircraft.

23. Indian Navy, “Navy Gets a Boost with Launch of First Dedicated Defence Satellite,” http://indiannavy.nic.in/content/navy-gets-boost-launch-first-dedicated-defence-satellite (accessed July 2015).

24. Joseph Nye, Bound to Lead: The Changing Nature of American Power (New York, NY: Basic Books, 1990).

25. David E.H. Edgerton, “The Contradictions of Techno-Nationalism and Techno-Globalism: A Historical Perspective,” New Global Studies 1, no. 1 (2007): 1–34.