Nations with secondary space programs--some of which once joined China in criticizing U.S. space-control policy--are now promoting their own ideas of controlling space through advanced communications and networking. At the Strategic Space and Defense conference in Omaha (Oct. 9 to 11), military leaders from France and India were among those advocating a new role for nations operating in the United States' shadow.
China's test of a ballistic missile to knock down a satellite in space, apart from evoking widespread concern around the globe, has sent alarm bells ringing in India's defence and security establishment. Though it is believed that China's ASAT (anti-satellite) weapon system test on January 11 was meant to be a direct challenge to the overpowering US military dominance of space, it does have some implications for India, which has a robust space programme.
The Indian government has approved spending 14.2 billion rupees ($316 million) to develop an independent regional satellite navigation system that would launch starting in 2008 and reduce the nation's dependence on the GPS system operated by the U.S. Department of Defense.
The author argues that U.S. plans to cooperate with India on space technology "risks repeating in India the same errors that previously allowed damaging U.S. space technology transfers to China."
India is building up a satellite-based Military Surveillance and Reconnaissance System that will become operational by 2007, allowing it to keep watch on developments in its area. "The program is in the advanced stages of development and is planned to be operational by 2007," Indian Defense Minister Pranab Mukherjee said in Parliament recently.
India is planning to setup a strategic Aerospace Command to prepare for possible warfare in outer space.
India's space program has been relatively successful in its short lifespan but critics argue that its core rationale is nationalism rather than scientific pursuit.
China and India have signed on to support the European Union's Galileo global satellite system in a bid to challenge American supremacy in space.
India is pushing ahead with its ambitious space programme while casting an envious eye at neighbouring China, which is on the verge of becoming the third nation to put a man into orbit, analysts say.
Indian Air Chief S Krishnaswamy announced that work has begun modernizing its aerospace force including "moving towards laser weapon platforms in space and killer satellites."