Regarding the Nov. 11 AFP article "Indian rockets aim for space market": India is planning to test a crew module on the GSLV Mark III, which will take off in April.

The barriers are many. Precision technology, life support, escape system, landing and re-entry systems are yet to be fully developed. The cryogenic engine is being fine-tuned, and it is hoped the next GSLV launch can be done on Dec. 15.

The next moon mission, named Chandrayaan-II, could be fully India-made. Since Russia — which provided the moon landing module for the Chandrayaan-I — backed out of developing one for the next mission, Indian scientists are working to develop an indigenous model. The Rover has already been developed, and by the time of launch in 2016, the lander should be fully ready.

binay srivastava
new delhi

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