Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Give India her share of space' that was published in Newsband

Give India her share of space

The head of the United States' National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Jim Bridenstine, on Tuesday branded India’s destruction of one of its satellites a “terrible thing” that had created 400 pieces of orbital debris and led to new dangers for astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Chinese test had created 3,000 debris. That includes about 10,000 pieces of space debris, of which nearly 3,000 were created by a single event: a Chinese anti-satellite test in 2007 at 530 miles from the surface. As a result of the Indian test, the risk of collision with the ISS has increased by 44 percent over 10 days, Mr. Bridenstine said.

How 400 pieces of debris created by Shakti is greater risk than thousands of pieces debris created by US, China and Russia. Space should not belong to just US, Rassia and China. Let India also share it. Why there is no rebuttal by ISRO scientists.

United Nations should not just be a war licensing agency, but also a peace promoting and Disarmament agency. Has debris issue become a matter of urgency as it involves India's rise in the world of space technology?

However, Indian aerospace has miles to go to become an aerospace power. We still lack basic fundamental technologies. We should try and develop new trend in anti-satellite technology by means of directed laser energy to kill satellites electronically without debris.

For India, it is not just enough to indulge in chest-thumping over A-SAT Test. We should also come up with strategies to prevent Pulwama-type Terror Attack, Uri-type Terror Attack, Pathankot-type Terror Attack and all the other Horrific Terrorist Attacks in the past. We need to upgrade & strengthen the Anti-Terrorist Equipment & Operational Training of our Security Forces to safeguard their Lives. Anyway, what a marvelous feat by India! In a matter of few years, such operation caused thousands of pieces of debris.

In the future, Space Clean Up will become a big issue, just like Ocean/Sea cleanup. With US starting to list finalist for creating housing in Moon and Mars, Earth clean up may suffer and get worse while all resources are used to clean up space and other planet in the name of science and improved standing.

As we are developing our technology, we should also be concerned about our nature. Technology indeed makes people’s lives easier and more comfortable but we can't ignore its drawbacks. But it is wrong to blame only India. America, Russia and China are doing more than what India do. 'Stay with nature and love it.

In 2007, China was criticised by countries across the world, including India, for conducting a similar ASAT test that created space debris. It is okay if India also shows her technological prowess. But at the same time, also develop India's first commercial aircraft, a commercial jet engine, a high speed train or a computer operating system used the world over?

Yes, space should be cleaned; but technology development and improvement is also needed. USA, Russia and China consider it their monopoly over technology development and become restless after entry of India in their exclusive club. After 1974 Pokharan nuclear tests international sanctions were imposed and till date we have been denied entry in “NSG”. We were not able to gain “Cryogenic Technology” until we developed indigenously. We are not permanent member of Security Council though we are having second highest manpower and sixth global economy.