The geostrategic implications of India's space program

This article critically examines the geostrategic implications of India's space program. The article first reviews the history of India's space program, the development of India's satellite launch vehicles and missiles, technological obstacles to these projects due to international arms control embargoes, and India's satellites. It then examines how broader political developments have historically influenced India's space program, which suggests that recent political developments-such as India's seeking of a nuclear arsenal-could lead to greater strategic uses for its space assets. Accordingly, the article next analyzes how India's space assets may be used as nuclear delivery systems and for reconnaissance and command and control, and discusses the strategic utility of such applications. It finally discusses issues of organization, manpower, and costs that may constrain the scope of India's space activities, and concludes with an overall assessment of India's space capabilities.