No One Wants To Explain Why India Can't Launch U.S. Satellites
Smith, Babin Examine Policy Governing Indian Launch Vehicles
“Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) and Space Subcommittee Chairman Brian Babin (R-Texas) yesterday sent letters to four senior officials following up on requests for information about the current U.S. policy governing the export of U.S. commercial satellites for launch on Indian launch vehicles. On July 6 Chairmen Smith and Babin wrote Director of Office of Science and Technology Policy John Holdren, Secretary of State John Kerry, United States Trade Representative Michael Froman, and U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker, seeking this information. Yesterday’s letters reiterate requests for a briefing and documentation on the current U.S. policy.”
Eric Stallmer, Commercial Spaceflight Federation Testimony , April 2016
“Here, CSF opposes any change to the current U.S. policy with respect to launch on Indian launch vehicle systems. For commercial as well as government launches, Indian launch vehicles are operated by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), a government entity that also funds the development and manufacture of these launch vehicles. Here, CSF has seen that pricing for commercial launch services on Indian rockets historically has not reflected the true costs associated with their initial development and on-going launch operations, putting U.S. commercial launchers at a disadvantage in competitions for these class of payloads. In effect, India is dumping these vehicles on the commercial market to the detriment of U.S. firms. We would encourage the U.S. Congress to support American firms offering legitimate pricing for launch services in this market.”
Elliot Pulham, Space Foundation Testimony, April 2016
“The concern about using Indian boosters is not so much the transfer of sensitive technology to a nation that is a fellow democracy, but rather whether Indian launches are subsidized by the Indian government to the degree that other market actors, for example American launch companies or those of allies, would be priced out the market.”
Keith’s note: Why is India being singled out for special treatment? Who own’s most, if not all, of China’s launch infrastructure? Russia’s? Europe’s? Japan’s? Who sets their launch prices? Why is it that every time the U.S. buys Soyuz seats the price goes up far more than it should?
– Will U.S. Companies Be Allowed To Launch on Indian Rockets?, earlier post
– America’s Hypocritical Fear of Indian Rockets, earlier post
– Congress Asks Questions About U.S. Policy Regarding Indian Launch Vehicles, earlier post
– Hearing Discusses Using Old ICBMs As Satellite Launchers, earlier post
Because US launch industry just got back a slice of commercial launch market after a decade of being completely unable to compete.
It’s not a big market so another slice wont be given up easily.
We were not unable to compete because of insufficient subsidies. We were unable to compete because of uncompetitive management and trade barriers.
CSF and SFT are indeed carrying their own agendas, that is understandable. Moreover, ITAR in the US as well as protectionist/subsidizing practices in ALL countries that have national or commercial LVs is a known market competition inhibitor as far as commercial launch is concerned. This pretty much explains why “India can’t Launch U.S. Satellites”.
The answer is right there, Keith: the rate-setting body isn’t the issue. Rather it’s the rates they set. Pretty straightforward and comparable to the argument against using Minutemen missiles.
Even the price isn’t the issue; witness US support for SpaceX. It’s a case of our government doing what citizens should demand of government: creation and maintenance of a level playing field for all competitors.
I have not heard Elon Musk complain about competition from India or China, in fact one of his first customers was Asiasat. America, or at least some American companies, can compete on the world market with value-added products and services. ITAR shoots American companies that want to export in the foot. It is an ill wind that blows no good.
Actually this needs to be seen as part of the bigger historic picture of diplomacy in South Asia, particularly the U.S. balancing its interests in Pakistan against its interests in India.
However given the recent expansion of the relationship between India and the United States, especially in terms of selling weapons to India, it would seem to be time to build much stronger relations between the two nations is space, especially in terms of space commerce activities. Hopefully this is a move in that direction, allowing commercial payloads on Indian rockets.
I went to the Moon with India. ISRO and the PSLV rock.
M3 on Chandrayaan-1? That mission could be considered as a reach out gesture from them too.
Yes, 13 trips to collaborate over a three year period. Took my family and we watched the launch at Sriharikota. Right into the monsoon. Really amazing.
Not sure I understand several US built spacecraft have been launched on PSLV in just last month Pathfinder 1 is a commercial imaging satellite which will be operated by US company BlackSky Global. The spacecraft is one of two which BlackSky intends to launch in order to validate their design prior to deploying a constellation of up to sixty spacecraft.
I think US Gov should reduce amount of paper required. Also speed up the process.
They all had waivers bypassing a ban that is still effectively in place on Indian LVs
Anyone who tells you that the US and India have harmonious working relations when it comes to diplomacy , visas and immigration, business and trade administration , foreign relations, and military affairs- let alone spaceflight- does not have a clue. They’ve never dealt with the bureaucracies of both nations while trying to work through something , even as simple as getting a tourist visa from an Indian consulate located in a third country , in my case. India and the US play a relentless game of Tit for Tat.
I can’t comment on your experience, but I will say that India does love bureaucracy. Could be a left over from the Raj, or finding jobs for so many, but either way every single thing must be stamped. In the right order. And aligned with the edges.