Global Space Agenda: Transforming India's Space Program

  • Wednesday, Jan 30, 2008
  • G. Madhavan Nair

    Featuring G. Madhavan Nair
    Chairman, Indian Space Research Organization

    As India enters its sixtieth year of independence, one of its national technological crown jewels- the space program- is undergoing a fundamental transformation as its focus turns outward.  India's space agency, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has mroe than 40 years of experience, with capabilities in launch systems, telecommunications, and Earth Observation.  Last year, India announced its intention to join Russia, the US, and China as the only nations with human spaceflight capability.  Now, against the backdrop of an Asian Space Race, India is focusing its space activities outwards, both towards other nations through increased bilateral ties and international engagement as well as towards exploration of the Moon.

    As Indo-American economic ties boom, the relationship between the oldest and largest democracies is exploring new frontiers - including technological cooperation in a wide array of areas.  With only as few months to go before the launch of India's first lunar mission - which will carry American instruments - the head of the Indian space program, Mr. G. Madhavan Nair (Chairman, ISRO; Chairman, Space Commission; Secretary, Department of Space), made his first visit to the US to strengthen bilateral ties with his American counterparts.

    CSIS' Space Initiatives and South Asia Programs were pleased to host Chairman Nair and ISRO to discuss the transformation and future of the Indian space program as part of our Global Space Agenda series. The CSIS Global Space Agenda is a forum for parties in current and emerging space-faring nations to discuss their progress as well as potential interest in engagement with other groups. The Global Space Agenda is intended to augment existing dialog among international partners by providing a new, neutral venue for discussion, one in which all interested sectors can communicate openly and directly with each other.
    Programs
    South Asia Program, Space Initiatives
    Topics
    Technology, Space
    Regions
    India, South Asia

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B1 Conference Center
CSIS
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