Space & Geopolitical Power

Why does India need to go for the Space Race?

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Space has been the new frontier since the 20^th century, as the Ocean was five centuries ago. Countries that focused on shipbuilding industries to explore the world during those days envisioned manifesting immense commercial, economic, and geopolitical power over the world. These nations had a futuristic vision of accumulating wealth and power. It was a time when adventurous explorers enriched their country with the profits and booties they brought home from business and territorial expansion.

Geopolitical rivalry, military consideration, scientific curiosity, economic interest, and a desire for national prestige drove the Space Race in the 20^th century. These factors converged to create the dynamic and highly competitive era of space exploration during the Cold War. Space Race was regarded as an ideological battleground for dominance.

But the question arises, “Why is space exploration vital from a geopolitical perspective?”

Space exploration is a tough and expensive affair. Why do nations invest so much hard-earned capital money in space? Is it just a flippant venture or a show of vanity? In 1966, the USA spent 4.41% of its National Budget on NASA. Russia never lagged. Her Sputnik 1 in 1957 challenged American supremacy. The Sputnik shock galvanized the United States to pull up its socks, and the US President, Ei Eisenhower, created NASA, formally launching the “Space Race” between the United States and the Soviet Union.

The US launched its first satellite to challenge the USSR. On July 20, 1969, millions gathered around their televisions to watch two US astronauts do something no one had done before. Wearing bulky spacesuits and backpacks of oxygen to breathe, Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin became the first human beings to walk on the moon.

Today, China has ambitions on the moon. Why even India, just a developing economy, intends to join the “Space Race” and the “Moon Rush?” In the wake of the moon missions by major world players, India’s Chandrayan 3 success is clinching evidence of the country’s statement as an emerging power that can change the face of the nation’s technological and economic power, and, indeed, its access to the alternative financial resources beyond earth. Where Russia’s soft-landing efforts crash-landed only a few days back, India’s ISRO silently proved its mettle.

The present “Moon Rush” and India’s victory symbolize the nation’s power that could compete with giants in the field with a meager budget of 75 million dollars. The question arises: How could the nation allocate such huge funds to finance ISRO rather than other developmental projects? Indeed, a question of greater interest to the nation than a binary perspective on the mission justifies India’s visionary policy for unlimited possibilities by 2040-50.

We must understand the hard military, economic, technological, and geopolitical factors that drive space exploration.

Firstly, space enables the “Defense Process” in the interest of the nation’s deterrents against the political adversaries. It offers a vantage point for reconnaissance, strategically crucial for military surveillance. Given the hostility of our neighboring states like China and Pakistan, India must be able to monitor and gather intelligence on the enemies that threaten the nation. The nation must have a sophisticated defense system when non-violence and discussion do not work with rogue states.

Besides, a well-developed missile system and artificial satellite can create fear among the nations that breed and harbor terrorists in their land. No economic progress is possible if the country remains technologically backward and has soft pedals in the face of violence.

Secondly, space technology leads to numerous job opportunities. Space research by ISRO stimulated growth and job creation in high-tech industries. Space Race led to the development of technological applications beyond space, which benefits different sectors.

Spinoff Technology: These are commercial products and services developed with the help of NASA through research and development contracts, such as SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH(SBIR) OR STTR awards and licensing of NASA patents. These grew from the technical assistance from NASA personnel or data from NASA research.

They are miniaturized electronics, MRI technology, solar panels, microprocessors, water filtration, GPS technology, etc.

To mention a few spinoff technologies in Health and Medicine, we must say Infrared ear thermometers, Vestibular assist devices, LASIK, Artificial limbs, Cochlear implants, Invisible braces, Scratch-resistant lenses, Space blankets, 3D food printing, and the list goes on.

Transportation:

To name a few

1. Airlift anti-icing system.
2. Highway safety.
3. Improved Radical Tires.
4. Chemical detections in aircraft before damage occurs.

Public Safety:

To name a few

1. Video enhancing and analysis system.
2. Landmine removal.
3. Fire-resistant reinforcement.
4. Shock absorbers for buildings.
5. Portable cordless vacuums.
6. Freeze drying.
7. Air -scrubbers
8. Space age swimsuit, etc

Apart from these are technological industries related to Environmental & Agricultural Resources, Computer Technology, and Industrial Productivity.

Diplomatic Implications:

With this historic success in soft landing on the moon, India will gain allies in our present-day complex geopolitical situation. This alliance will be based on its strong credibility as a peaceful and responsible nation that intends to grow based on cooperation and healthy competition.

The Republic of India signed the Artemis Accords on June 21, 2023, demonstrating its commitment to sustainable and transparent space activity. India is also a signatory of the Moon Treaty, which is yet to be ratified.

Suppose the Govt of India supports NASA scientists by augmented budgetary allocation for space research and ambitious missions. In that case, she will become a major world power by 2035 by building up a space station and launching more powerful rovers and landers that heavier rocket launchers could propel.

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Why ISRO’S ACHIEVEMENT IS LAUDABLE

Even though ISRO lags in the number of launches and the mass of launches, its formidable power has given India a space launch capability, which very few nations have. Without this capability, India will depend on the US, Russia & France to launch satellites and conduct space missions. This would have been a geopolitical Achilles’ heel.

It has developed successful Rocket Family like ASLV, GSLV & PSLV. Chandrayan 1 discovered water on the moon. The success story of Chandrayan3 will help create an alternative world that China & America want to make. There will perhaps be permanent human settlement on the moon by the 2030s.

The USA plans to have yearly human landings on the moon by the end of this decade. Both China and Russia are planning to send humans to the moon. It is curious to note how the aspiring major geopolitical and space power players are planning to return to the moon in the present decade.

The first movers will eventually start claiming territories and resources on the moon. So, India can never procrastinate on this brave new mission.

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How can ISRO catch up with the global competitors in the space race?

Firstly, it must build more powerful rockets to launch heavier landers and rovers toward the moon in 3-6 days instead of 3-6 weeks.

Secondly, it must repeat the soft landing and roving on the moon with greater precision and ease several times to cement the technology to its best.

Such repetitions will facilitate Luner Return technology with perfection and speed. At least two sample missions should be undertaken.

Thirdly, it must try to develop reusable Rocket technology to be ready to build a space station to send men to the moon.

We require a strong-willed Government with the political will to envision a more economically and geopolitically powerful India, and for that, extend all support to our immensely brilliant scientists at home. Only then will ISRO realize its full potential to become one of the top three space powers in the next decade.

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Why the South Pole of the Moon is a Coveted Zone?

India’s success in soft-landing on the Lunar South Pole domain made a historical statement a few days after Russia’s mission to the same zone crashed.

Russia’s Lunar 25 has such critical political implications. It wanted to overtake Chandrayan 3 because Putin wanted to showcase Russia as a major space power and establish the legitimacy of his regime. But the crash undermined his desire.

Russia’s Lunar 25 raised the stakes for the ISRO to make it successful because India has signed the Artemis Accord. Russia has joined the China-led “International Lunar Research Station,” collaborating with it to set up a lunar-based station by 2036. China can land on the moon autonomously. Now, India can do that, too.

This success not only implies a strategic alignment in favor of our nation but has also opened the door to exploring the unchartered territory that, as scientists believe, contains vital frozen water resources. The data that the Indian scientists have collected can be used in India’s future space program.

The discovery of hydroxyl (OH) and water (H2O) molecules on the lunar surface via Chandrayan 1 was a significant achievement.

There is a lack of data regarding the South Pole terrain of the moon because of its inaccessibility. Yet this lunar area has resources like Water Ice that can be turned into oxygen for human habitation. It also has Titanium, Aluminum, Iron Ore, and Magnesium that can be utilized for setting up a base on the moon.

India plans for the resource utilization mission in 5-10 years. The Outer Space Treaty that India signed has established that no single nation can claim sovereignty in space, though it can utilize space resources.

The Moon Treaty, not ratified yet, lays down the principles of “Responsible Behavior” the countries have to agree to when investing in the mission of commercial capability of the moon. China plans to go next year with the lunar sample mission.

“The Moon Rush” is due to its strategic significance, and everyone is up for a grab.

However, according to the Outer Space Treaty and Liability Conventions, any moon mining activity must seek permission and license from the State they are registered to, and the liability convention will be held responsible if anything goes wrong.

“Moon Rush” in the present era is extremely significant. Still, it is equally important that we have regulatory frameworks and normative guidelines to determine all these missions’ layouts and keep the irresponsible nations’ predatory motives at bay.