Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08NEWDELHI2641
2008-10-03 10:50:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy New Delhi
Cable title:  

WITH THE UPCOMING LAUNCH OF "CHANDRAYAAN I" MOON MISSION,

Tags:  ENRG TRGY SENV KGHG TSPL TNGD EIND KSCA ECON 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO7804
RR RUEHAST RUEHHM RUEHLN RUEHMA RUEHPB RUEHPOD RUEHTM
DE RUEHNE #2641/01 2771050
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 031050Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3660
RUEHCI/AMCONSUL KOLKATA 2847
RUEHCG/AMCONSUL CHENNAI 3608
RUEHBI/AMCONSUL MUMBAI 2664
RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC
RUCPDC/NOAA NMFS WASHINGTON DC
RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHDC
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHDC
RUEHZN/ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 08 NEW DELHI 002641 

STATE FOR OES/PCI, OES/STC, OES/SAT, OES/EGC, AND SCA/INS
STATE FOR STAS
STATE PASS TO NSF FOR INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS
HHS PASS TO NIH
STATE PASS TO USAID
STATE FOR SCA, OES (STAS FEDOROFF); OES/PDAS/RHARNISH; OES/PCI
STEWART; OES/IHB MURPHY; OES/GTHOMPSON
STATE FOR EEB/DAVID HENRY
PASS TO MAS/DAS/JESTRADA
PASS TO MAC/DAS/HVINEYARD
PASS TO NSF/MLUECK
PASS TO NASA/OER (MCINTOSH/WILLIAMS/KAMM)
SLUG TO DOE/DAS/JMIZROCH; DOE/MGINZBERG
SLUG TO DOE/ (TCUTLER/GBISCONTI/CGILLESPIE)


SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ENRG TRGY SENV KGHG TSPL TNGD EIND KSCA ECON
SUBJECT: WITH THE UPCOMING LAUNCH OF "CHANDRAYAAN I" MOON MISSION,
INDIA AIMS TO BE A GLOBAL PLAYER IN SPACE

REF A :NEW DELHI 1257
REF B: NEW DELHI 0433
REF C: NEW DELHI 2278

NEW DELHI 00002641 001.2 OF 008


UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 08 NEW DELHI 002641

STATE FOR OES/PCI, OES/STC, OES/SAT, OES/EGC, AND SCA/INS
STATE FOR STAS
STATE PASS TO NSF FOR INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS
HHS PASS TO NIH
STATE PASS TO USAID
STATE FOR SCA, OES (STAS FEDOROFF); OES/PDAS/RHARNISH; OES/PCI
STEWART; OES/IHB MURPHY; OES/GTHOMPSON
STATE FOR EEB/DAVID HENRY
PASS TO MAS/DAS/JESTRADA
PASS TO MAC/DAS/HVINEYARD
PASS TO NSF/MLUECK
PASS TO NASA/OER (MCINTOSH/WILLIAMS/KAMM)
SLUG TO DOE/DAS/JMIZROCH; DOE/MGINZBERG
SLUG TO DOE/ (TCUTLER/GBISCONTI/CGILLESPIE)


SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ENRG TRGY SENV KGHG TSPL TNGD EIND KSCA ECON
SUBJECT: WITH THE UPCOMING LAUNCH OF "CHANDRAYAAN I" MOON MISSION,
INDIA AIMS TO BE A GLOBAL PLAYER IN SPACE

REF A :NEW DELHI 1257
REF B: NEW DELHI 0433
REF C: NEW DELHI 2278

NEW DELHI 00002641 001.2 OF 008



1. (U) Summary. The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is
poised to take on many ambitious projects with the aim of
establishing broader international collaborations, developing novel
technologies to meet social and economic development needs, and
attracting and harnessing India's young talent in science and
technology. India tripled its space program budget to USD 10
billion for the Eleventh Five-Year Plan period (2007-2012),which
includes funding for two moon missions. Scheduled for an October 22
launch, "Chandrayaan I" will be a two-year-long mission consisting
of eleven experiments to map and study resources on the moon's
surface. NASA developed two of the experiments, and is also
exploring future collaborations with ISRO. Antrix, ISRO's
commercial arm, grew 20 percent last year and facilitated ISRO's
launch of satellites for several countries. ISRO's future plans
include developing nano and pico satellites, launching satellites to
study astronomy, the Sun, and Mars, and conducting a manned moon
mission. Import restrictions because of sanctions and a lack of
qualified scientists and engineers are ISRO's key challenges. End
Summary. End Summary.

-------------- --------------
Space Program, One of the Successful Indian Science and Technology

Missions
-------------- --------------

2. (U) The Indian space program which originated with India's
participation in a US led international program for tracking
satellites in the early 60s, has come a long way with over 18
institutions under its fold. Today India believes that it has
complete indigenous technological capability for development of
satellites and rockets and to launch them to meet its social and
economic development aspirations. The only area where ISRO feels it
needs new technology development is semiconductor fabrication for
fabrication of microchips to develop the associated electronic
systems. With a view to further enhance the activities and
capabilities of ISRO, the Eleventh Five-Year Plan (2007-2012) has an
outlay of USD 10.5 billion (INR 450 billion) for space research,
which is more than three times the allocation of USD 3 billion (INR
132.5 billion) during the Tenth Plan period (2001-2006).


3. (U) ISRO has several mission goals. First and foremost, India
expects space technology to be a key tool or enabler for social and
economic development including Information and Communication
Technology (ICT),weather forecasting, natural and agricultural
resource monitoring, environment monitoring, e-learning,
telemedicine and security. It also aspires to be at the cutting
edge of technology and collaborate with advanced nations in joint
scientific experiments in space. Another key goal of the
"Chandrayaan" (moon) mission program is to help motivate and attract
a large number of youth into science and technology research and
reinvigorate the scientific activity in the country. The key
features of India's indigenous space program are:

The Indian National Satellite (INSAT) system includes eleven
communication and broadcast satellites with over 210 transponders
and supports Direct to Home (DTH) services and meteorological data.


The Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) Satellite System includes eight
imagery satellites - one of the largest civilian constellations in

NEW DELHI 00002641 002.2 OF 008


the world - that provide imagery in a variety of spatial resolutions
and spectral bands.

The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) with 13 successful
launches can launch payloads of up to 1000kg in a polar synchronous
orbit.

The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) with four out of
five successful launches can launch 2000 to 2500kg payloads into a
geosynchronous orbit.


4. (U) The repeated successes of these systems have been the basis
for India to take up a challenging project such as the "Chandrayaan"
(moon) mission and investigate the feasibility of mission to Mars
and beyond. In addition, the opening of space and the defense
sectors to private participation has made India an attractive
destination for investments in aerospace industries.

-------------- --------------
"Chandrayaan I" Mission Objectives, Key Features and
the Launch
-------------- --------------

5. (U). "Chandrayaan-I", India's first scientific mission to the
moon, aims to expand the understanding of its origin and evolution,
study the moon's surface for resources, upgrade India's
technological capabilities, and provide opportunities to the young
scientists working in planetary sciences. The unmanned mission will
involve eleven experiments over a period of two years - six of those
from other countries including the USA, the UK, Germany, Sweden,
Bulgaria and Japan. The payloads have been integrated into the
spacecraft, and the system subjected to environmental tests
including thermo-vacuum tests (rapid heating and cooling cycle tests
with temperature varying from +120 C to -150 C),vibration and noise
tests. SciCouns had visited the ISRO facility in Bangalore in July
and observed the integration process of the two US instruments on
the spacecraft and had discussions with Dr.Annadurai, Project
Director "Chandrayaan I" about the preparations. The complete
system is expected to be docked on to the launch vehicle by October
12 or 13 at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh. As of the now the launch
date could be between October 20 and 22, weather permitting. The
project cost is estimated at USD 89 million (INR 3.86 billion) - not
including partner country instruments.

--------------
Launch Process
--------------

6. (U) The spacecraft, weighing about 1050kg, will be launched by
PSLV into an elliptical parking orbit of 240km perigee and 36,000km
apogee - very similar to a geosynchronous transfer orbit. The
spacecraft will then use its own liquid apogee motor to take it to a
trans-lunar injection orbit, and finally for lunar orbit insertion.
In its final orbit of 100km above the moon, the spacecraft will
weigh 525kg including the liquid fuel and micro thrusters required
for a 2-year life span. The journey from the earth to the moon
should take five and half days.

--------------
Tracking of the Launch and Receiving Data
--------------

7. (U) A new 32-meter antenna - built jointly by Electronics
Corporation of India Limited (ECIL) Hyderabad, Bhabha Atomic
Research Center(BARC) Mumbai, and various ISRO labs and private
Indian industries - is operational at the Indian Deep Space Network

NEW DELHI 00002641 003.2 OF 008


(IDSN) center in Byalalu, near Bangalore to monitor the launch and
receive data from the moon. The antenna is capable of capturing and
receiving signals from a distance of over 400,000km in outer space
and can be moved at a lower speed of 0.01 millidegrees per second,
an upper speed of 0.4 millidegrees per second with a vertical
maneuverability of 90 degrees and capacity to rotate over 270
degrees. India will also track the launch with an 18-metre antenna
installed in 2006 which can receive signals from up to 100,000km.
ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) will manage
the tracking activity.

--------------
Moon Mission Experiments
--------------

8. (U) The eleven experiments to be carried out under the
"Chandrayaan-I" mission are essentially geared to map the moon's
surface for minerals and chemicals, to provide clues to the origin
of the moon and explore the dark side of the moon for traces of
water, especially in the large lunar craters that receive no
sunlight and hence may contain frozen water. Another key element
Indian scientists hope to locate is Helium-3. If detected, it could
be extremely useful in nuclear reactors if transported to the earth.
The following instruments are part of this mission:

-Terrain Mapping Stereo Camera (TMC) developed by ISRO to produce a
high-resolution 3-dimensional atlas or a high resolution map of both
the near and the far side of the moon to understand the evolution
process and to identify regions of future scientific interests. The
TMC has a spatial/ground resolution of 5m and swath coverage of
20km.
-Hyper Spectral Imager (HySI) developed by ISRO is for mineralogical
mapping in the visible and near infrared region (400-950 nm) with a
spectral resolution of 15nm, a spatial resolution of 80m and swath
coverage of 20km.
-Lunar Laser Ranging Instrument (LLRI) developed by ISRO to
illuminate the terrain with a laser pulse and accurately estimate
the altitude of the spacecraft above the lunar surface and determine
the global topographical field of the moon. These data along with
the TMC information is expected to be used to obtain an improved
lunar gravity model.
-High Energy X-ray (HEX) developed by ISRO is to be used to detect
X-rays emitted in the energy region of 30-250keV using a
Cadmium-Zinc-Telluride (CdZnTe) detector array, with a field of view
of 40km X 40km.
-Moon Impact Probe (MIP) developed by ISRO is expected to piggy back
on the "Chandrayaan I" and is to be released to drop on to the
surface of the moon at a desired location once the space craft
reaches a distance of 100km from the moon. The MIP is expected to
be a proof of concept of technologies required for an impact probe
at a desired location on the moon and also qualify technologies
required for future soft landing missions on the surface of the
moon.
-Chandrayaan-I X-ray Spectrometer (C1XS) is a joint effort between
Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, UK and ISRO Satellite Centre through
the European Space Agency (ESA),will use X-ray fluorescence
technique (1 -10keV) to map the moon, focused on understanding its
origin and evolution and measuring the elemental abundance of Mg,
Al, Si, Ca, Fe and Ti.
-Near Infra Red spectrometer (SIR-2) developed by the Max-Plank
Institute for Solar System Science, Germany is expected to be the
key instrument for identifying the chemical composition of the crust
and mantle of the moon. It is also expected to help understand the
"space weathering" process of the surface of the moon and identify

NEW DELHI 00002641 004.2 OF 008


future landing spots.
-Sub keV Atom Reflecting Analyser (SARA) was developed jointly by
Swedish Institute of Space Physics, Sweden and Space Physics
Laboratory, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, ISRO through ESA. SARA
will be used to image the moon's surface using low energy neutral
atoms (10eV-2keV) to get further information on its surface
composition, to study solar wind surface interactions and the result
of weathering of the moon surface due to bombardment by solar wind
ions.
-Radiation Dose Monitor Experiment (RADOM) developed by the
Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Bulgaria will be used to
qualitatively and quantitatively characterize, in terms of particle
flux, dose rate and deposited energy spectrum and the radiation
environment at different altitudes from the moon's surface.
-Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3) jointly developed by Brown University
and Jet Propulsion Laboratory, USA through NASA is to be used to
characterize and map lunar surface mineralogy with referfnce to the
geologic evolution of Moon. This essentially involves understanding
the highland crust, basaltic volcanism, impact craters and potential
volatiles on the moon's surface. The M3 is a high throughput
imaging spectrometer operating in spectral range from 0.7 micron to
3.0 micron range, with a spectral resolution of 10nm, spatial
resolution of 70 m/pixel and a field of view of 40km [from 100km
orbit]. It measures solar reflected energy using a two-dimensional
Mercury Cadmium Telluride detector array.
-Miniature Synthetic Aperture Radar (MiniSAR) developed by the
Applied Physics Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University and Naval Air
Warfare Centre, USA through NASA is to be used for the detection of
water (ice) in the permanently shadowed regions on the moon up to a
depth of a few meters. The synthetic aperture radar system works at
a frequency 2.38 GHz with a resolution of 75m per pixel.

--------------
"Chandrayaan II" Program
--------------

9. (SBU) At present, India plans to carry out two moon missions.
It has already approved a budget of USD 98.9 million (INR 4.25
billion) for the "Chandrayaan-II" mission which is expected to take
place around 2011-12. The key objective of the mission is to land a
motorized rover on the moon to collect soil and rock samples and
perform further chemical analysis of the lunar surface. Russia has
signed up, as one of the first partners for the mission, to develop
the Lander/Rover system. ISRO will be developing the Orbiter
system. Scientific instruments and experiments from other countries
may also be accommodated. NASA has had some dialogue regarding US
participation and is considering sending an advanced Radioisotope
Thermoelectric Generator (RTG) power source (generates power from a
238 Plutonium heat source) aboard "Chandrayaan II". This could be
mission enabling/enhancing for "Chandrayaan II". Because the
advanced RTG has moving parts, NASA is seeking a flight opportunity
to qualify it prior to its use on long duration outer planetary
missions. India has also recently joined eight nations (US, Canada,
Germany, Italy, Japan, South Korea, France and England) to develop
new technologies for exploratory robotic manned missions to the
moon. ISRO intends to launch the "Chandrayaan-II" using GSLV, and
plans additional GSLV trial launches using the indigenously
developed cryogenic engines before the mission in 2011-12.

-------------- --
Indigenous Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS) for GSLV
-------------- --

10. (U) The CUS is the key to ISRO's ambitions to enhance its
capabilities to launch heavier payloads. Restrictions on acquiring

NEW DELHI 00002641 005.2 OF 008


these engines and related technologies led ISRO to embark on
indigenous development of the CUS, which was successfully tested for
full flight duration of 720 seconds on November 15, 2007 at the
Liquid Propulsion test facility at Mahendragiri in Tamil Nadu. With
this test, ISRO considers the CUS qualified for the next GSLV
launch. The CUS is powered by a regeneratively cooled cryogenic
engine, a key component, which works on staged combustion cycle
(multistage burning of the propellant for enhanced efficiency)
developing a thrust of 69.5kN in vacuum. Liquid Oxygen (LOX) and
Liquid Hydrogen (LH2) from the respective tanks are fed by
individual booster pumps to the main turbo-pump rotating at 39,000
rpm to ensure a high flow rate of 16.5 kg/sec of propellants into
the combustion chamber. The main turbine is driven by the hot gas
produced in a pre-burner. Thrust control and mixture ratio control
are achieved by two independent regulators. The various materials
and the diverse sub-systems associated with the CUS were developed
by Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) Bangalore (the lead lab)
along with Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC),other ISRO centers
and several industries, both in the public and private sectors.

--------------
ISRO Enabled Development Programs
--------------

11. (U) The INSAT series of eleven satellites and the IRS series of
eight satellites have enabled a wide range of social and economic
development activities in India. The INSAT System is one of the
largest domestic communication satellite systems in the Asia Pacific
region, supporting over 210 transponders and 65,000 Very Small
Aperture Terminals (VSAT). The system has enabled the expansion of
television coverage to more than 40 Doordarshan (public) channels
and 50 private TV channels, and rapid expansion of DTH (Direct to
Home) television services. ISRO expects to increase to 500
transponders in the next four to five years.


12. (U) The Education Satellite (EDUSAT),dedicated exclusively for
educational services, was launched in September 2004 and provides
one-way TV broadcast, interactive TV, video conferencing and
web-based instructions for education. About 46 networks in 23
states connect more than 2,500 interactive and about 31,000
receive-only nodes at schools, colleges, training institutes and
other GOI agencies. At the recent Faculty Leadership Institute
(FLI) organized at the Infosys Training Center in Mysore, jointly by
the Indo US Collaboration on Engineering Education (IUCEE) and
American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE) to educate the
faculty in the area of ICT, lectures were beamed live to over 50
colleges across India. SciCouns was involved in facilitating this
program, where 30 faculty from several US universities conducted
training courses for 600 faculty from India.


13. (U) Telemedicine is another key initiative facilitated by ISRO.
ISRO is driving this project by providing software, hardware,
communication equipment and satellite bandwidth free of cost. ISRO
has extracted a commitment from tertiary hospitals to provide
services at nominal charges, enabling people in the remotest parts
of India to access super specialty medical care. Presently, ISRO's
telemedicine network includes over 300 installations, of which 45
are super specialty hospitals and 10 are mobile units, and benefits
over 300,000 patients annually. For example, a patient in
Lakshadweep Island in the Indian Ocean, which is 220 nautical miles
from the Kerala coast can visit the local Indira Gandhi district
hospital and virtually access facilities and interact with the
Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi in Kerala. It may be
mentioned here that various US and other international companies

NEW DELHI 00002641 006.2 OF 008


like Intel, GE, Texas Instruments and Philips and Indian companies
like TCS, Wipro and many small and medium entrepreneurs are involved
in developing a wide range of instruments, software tools and
accessories to accelerate and better facilitate telemedicine
activities in India. ISRO satellites are the backbone of this
system. This is an area which has huge potential for growth. The
Department of Science and Technology (DST) has also identified the
development of medical instrumentation and systems including those
enabling telemedicine as one of the major goals in the Eleventh Five
Year Plan.


14. (U) ISRO has installed specially designed disaster warning
receivers in vulnerable coastal areas for direct transmission of
warnings against impending disasters like cyclones based on
meteorological data from INSAT. ISRO also plans to establish the
Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS) using a
constellation of seven satellites in the next six to seven years to
provide navigation and timing services over the Indian subcontinent.
IRNSS would be a key feature of the Indian strategy for
establishing an indigenous and independent satellite navigation
system.


15. (U) The IRS series of imagery satellites - some with resolution
better than one meter - provide data for groundwater prospect
mapping, crop acreage and production estimation, potential fishing
zone forecasting based on chlorophyll-a distribution and sea surface
temperature, biodiversity characterization, detailed impact
assessment of watershed development projects and generation of
natural resources information. In order to ensure that the above
information reaches the rural population directly, ISRO has
established over 410 Village Resource Centers (VRC) operated with
the participation of local Non Government Organizations (NGO).

--------------
Commercial Launch of Satellites
--------------

16. (U) ISRO's capability to launch its own satellites has now been
expanded to generate additional revenues. ISRO's commercial arm,
Antrix Corporation, provides a multitude of services including
transponders lease, remote sensing data services, launch services
and early-orbit-phase mission support for satellites of other
countries. Antrix has registered an annual growth rate of 20
percent in the past few years with revenues of over USD 150 million
(INR 6.64 billion) and a profit of about USD 24 million (INR 1.05
billion) in the previous financial year. During the past year, ISRO
has successfully launched satellites from Italy, Israel, Korea,
Canada, Germany, Japan, Netherlands and Denmark including the
orbiting of 10 small satellites in a single launch. ISRO plans to
launch over 70 Indian and international satellites during the course
of next five years (Reftel-A). This includes launches of satellites
for Algeria, France, Singapore and some of the countries mentioned
above. Antrix is wanting to expand its market share in remote
sensing imageries, infrastructure services in space for
broadcasting, and mobile communication and positioning systems.

--------------
Other Initiatives and Future Plans of ISRO
--------------

17. (SBU) After the launch of "Chandrayaan I", India is planning to
launch in mid 2009 its first dedicated Astronomy Satellite
(ASTROSAT). The satellite is expected to conduct multi-wavelength
studies of celestial sources and phenomena using a cluster of X-ray
astronomy instruments and an ultraviolet imaging telescope. ISRO

NEW DELHI 00002641 007.2 OF 008


also plans to launch a 100kg satellite named 'Aditya' around 2012 to
study the dynamic solar corona, the outermost region of the sun.
ISRO is also looking at developing and demonstrating capabilities
for space recovery technologies, air breathing propulsion systems
and possibly a fully autonomous manned space vehicle in about 8-10
years. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Director Dr. Charles
Elachi visited ISRO on August 20 with the objective of exploring
collaborations on planetary missions.


18. (SBU) ISRO intends to further develop the GSLV and enhance its
capability to launch over 4000kg class communication satellites.
Along with the Airport Authority of India (AAI),ISRO is involved in
establishing India's satellite based navigation system for aiding
civil aviation traffic across the country. The system is called
Global positioning satellite-Aided Geosynchronous Augmented
Navigation system (Gagan). Many US companies including Raytheon are
associated with this project. The US Embassy through the Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA) has been involved in facilitating this
project. Finally, ISRO is now actively working towards developing
micro, nano and pico satellites. Academic institutions including
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur and Anna University,
Chennai are building these satellites.


19. (U) ISRO is also interested in the Reusable Launch Vehicle
(RLV). According to public statements by ISRO Chairman Dr. Madhavan
Nair, the RLV would have a first stage with a winged body, which
could launch a satellite in orbit and return, and a second stage,
which would be like a space capsule that could land either in sea or
on land. They are working on the proof of concept which should be
ready in two years time; ISRO expects to start work on the RLV
project around 2010.

--------------
Constraints Faced by ISRO
--------------

20. (SBU) ISRO lost a large number of trained lower and middle
level scientists and engineers to 200 Fortune 500 companies that
have recently set up operations in India, due in part to the
disparity in salary between public and private sectors. While the
Sixth Pay Commission report provides public sector scientists a
40-70% pay raise, ISRO still expects difficulty in attracting young
scientists with the required technical background and skills. To
address this gap, ISRO set up in September, 2007 the Indian
Institute of Space Science and Technology at Tiruvanathapuram in
Kerala. The Institute, which has admitted more than 140 students,
offers high quality education in space science and technology. In
addition to obtaining a Bachelors Degree in space technology with
specialization in avionics and aerospace engineering or an
integrated Masters Degree in applied sciences with special emphasis
on space, students can expect complete fee waiver and assured
employment after graduation. ISRO also has a program called
"RESearch sPONsoreD - RESPOND" to support academic institutions that
take up research programs of relevance to ISRO.


21. (SBU) Acquisition of advanced or specialized electronic
hardware has presented a challenge to ISRO. India has a booming
VLSI design environment, but the existing eleven semiconductor
fabrication facilities are under the government sector and have at
least six- to seven-generation old microelectronic processing
technology. There have been some initiatives to create advanced
facilities for research under the nanotechnology initiative (Reftel
B). Further, due to the new semiconductor policy (Reftel C),some
private companies are in the process of establishing advanced

NEW DELHI 00002641 008.2 OF 008


microelectronic processing facility. Dr. Neeraj Saxena, Managing
Director of SemIndia, told SciFSN that that they are still in the
process of installation and will not be operational until mid 2009
at the earliest. They plan to fabricate integrated circuit chips
using 0.09 micron (90nm) technology. Their priorities and schedule
may not meet ISRO's immediate requirements. In order to overcome
restrictions on the import of advanced electronic components, ISRO
has now decided to invest in its own fabrication facility. It
recently acquired a state-owned company, Semiconductor Complex
Limited (SCL) in Chandigarh. Presently SCL can cater up to 0.8
micron technology. ISRO had attempted to upgrade this facility and
had invited proposals from IBM and Atmel from the US. While IBM was
selected, ISRO could not provide specific end use certification and
wanted to have a flexible facility, catering to its various needs.
As a result, IBM could not go ahead with the upgradation. ISRO now
plans to proceed with the upgrade on its own while continuing to
develop Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) based sensor and
other application requirements using the existing 0.8 micron
technology.

--------------
Comment
--------------

22. (U) ISRO has been effective in achieving its program goals, and
we expect its successes will continue. To date, ISRO has partnered
primarily with Indian companies. However, its ambitious programs
and focus on technology advancement suggest that ISRO's needs are
not likely to be met by domestic resources. NASA's successful
partnership with ISRO on the "Chandrayaan I" moon mission highlights
ISRO's eagerness to collaborate with US partners, both public and
private, in pursuit of its goals. End Comment.

MULFORD