UPA lacked political will: Isro ex-chief

Thiruvananthapuram: Mission Shakti, which helped India get into the group of ‘big four’ in space technology, is winning accolades from space scientists in the state. They hailed the successful mission by Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) as a commendable feat.
Former chairman of Isro G Madhavan Nair said that it was a difficult task to detect, follow and hit a ssatellite that is not just 1,000 km above but also moving at a speed of 7.5 km/s. “Our country depends on space-based technology in areas ranging from observing weather, agriculture, natural resources to communication and banking. In case of any hostile attempts, we have to take a defensive action,” said Nair about the importance of A-SAT.

On reports that the technology was available since 2012, but mission was delayed due to non-clearance from government, Nair said that he had experienced lack of political will to support risky technological development during the second term of UPA government. “The project of manned space programme was ready in 2009. Had the then government given consent, we could have sent man to space by now. Another project to develop indigenous aircraft was also in cold storage. Only a leader like Modi could show the political will to follow up such projects,” said Nair, who joined BJP last year.

When asked whether the mission in defence sector could raise any opposition from other countries, Nair said that the mission was carried out without causing any inconvenience to other countries. “’Even the satellite in the orbit of 3,000 km was targeted to avoid space debris after explosion. If there is anything remains, it would rust and fall back to earth,” he said.

Former Isro scientist and aerospace engineer Nambi Narayanan said the technology behind anti-satellite missile (A-SAT) was similar to that of a missile, but far more difficult as unlike a stationary target, it is a moving object with high velocity in high altitude. “The target can be missed on a difference of a millisecond. That makes it an achievement we can be proud of,” Narayanan said.

Narayanan said that he finds nothing wrong in Prime Minister Narendra Modi announcing the ‘landmark achievement’ even when elections were approaching. “We are undermining it because the PM made the announcement and the elections are nearing. We have mastered a difficult technology,” he said.