India Launches Indigenous Cryogenic Rocket

An anonymous reader writes "The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) today successfully launched its heavy-duty rocket — the Geo Synchronous Satellite Launch vehicle (GSLV). The communication satellite, GSAT-14 was launched from Isro's spaceport at Sriharikota, about 80 km from Chennai. ISRO had to develop the cryogenic technology from scratch after the United States prevented Russia from transferring the technology to the India in 1993. Today's successful launch marks the culmination of a 20 year effort to develop the engine."

Re:Great for India

[Dunbal]

Yeah so you could say that in a way, the US is slicing its own throat yet again by trying to bully other countries and deny them "access" to technology when they don't do as they are told. It's pretty arrogant to assume that said countries can never come up with technological advances on their own. But hey - thanks America! You're right, we DON'T need you anymore!

Re:The US played a huge part in delaying India

[Anonymous Coward]

The United States prevented Russia...

I am very skeptical of that and of the links you have posted.

Since when does Russia give a shit what the US tells them to do?

Re:huh?

[Anonymous Coward]

" ...after the United States prevented Russia from transferring the technology to the India in 1993."

yeah, right.

how exactly does that work when the united states could even prevent one of its own citizens from transferring highly classified state spy secrets to a british newspaper?

Harken back to 1993 when Soviet Union had just disintegrated and Russians were queueing up in winter snow with loads of rubles in their hands to buy a loaf of bread. That's when the United States could easily arm-twist them over something that wasn't a priority to Russians. There was no Putin then to rebuff the US, they hadn't struck much oil then- it was a very different, impoverished, bruised and politically volatile Russia in 1993.

Re:Great for India

[Anonymous Coward]

Uh. It's not assuming that said countries can't.

It's assuming they will take a lot longer to do so and by the time it's hopefully no longer your problem but your successor's problem ;).

A Reflection

[kgskgs]

Indian here. I was in India when the newspapers were brimming with the news of how USA denied the technology to India. Ironically the desire in India grew exponentially when the technology was denied. Suddenly everyone from politicians, scientists, engineers, and even the street food vendors and Bollywood actors were interested in India developing cryogenic engine technology. Many of them couldn't pronounce cryogenic correctly. 99.99% of them didn't have a clue what it really was or what would it mean to their life if India were to develop cryogenic engines.

This psychological effect is extremely powerful. An Iranian friend told me once "I don't want Iran to have nuclear weapons in general. But if USA and Israel do not want Iran to have nuclear weapons, then I want Iran to have nuclear weapons." It's all about sticking it to the big bully, proving yourself. Suddenly it gives a point to the people to rally around.

And the resentment it causes when people realize that someone else is controlling them is so powerful and pervasive that I think it needs consideration in foreign policy design.

I am not saying go on handing over technologies to nations. But Americans vastly underestimate this type of resentment. The future potential cost of such resentment should be adequately considered while deciding what is in the best interest of USA. If you really have to do it, then at least launch adequate PR effort.