From: mrv@cbnewsf.cb.att.com (madhukar.r.vadyala)
Subject: NEWS (Break through in rcoket Technology)
Keywords: Space, Defense
Organization: AT&T
Date: Tue, 26 Jan 1993 15:27:28 GMT


	NEW DELHI, India (UPI) -- India's space scientists said Tuesday they
successfully tested an air-breathing rocket, a technology that is at the
cutting edge of military modernization.
	Air-breathing propulsion technology can help develop powerful space-
launch vehicles and long-range ballistic missiles.
	The basic features of the air-breathing propulsion system named the
ABR-200 were tested successfully by firing two sounding rockets from the
Sriharikota launch site along the southeastern Indian coast, scientist
Manoranjan Rao reported.
	Rao, who heads the team working on air-breathing propulsion
technology at India's Vikram Sarabhai Space Center, said the ABR-200
achieved a maximum speed of 2.3 Mach during the trials.
	The Mach number indicated a speed of 2.3 times the speed of sound.
	Rao said further development work was necessary in that frontier
technology, which has been identified by the Pentagon as one of 20
technologies ``critical'' to long-term U.S. strategic interests. More
trials were planned to boost the rocket speed, he added.
	An air-breathing rocket can carry a much larger payload, such as a
warhead, by using oxygen from the atmosphere to achieve a targeted
thrust power. Conventional rockets are bulky because they need to carry
their own oxidizer stock to burn propellants, thus limiting payload
capability.
	There are three air-breathing propulsion technologies under
development in the world: Turbo, Ram and Scram. ABR-200 is based on the
principle of ejector Ram jet, according to Rao and his colleague,
Rajaram Nagappa.
	India is one of few countries in the country pursuing a broad- based
space program. Thirteen years ago, it surprised the international
community by placing a satellite into orbit.
	In recent years, Indian scientists have developed four separate
ballistic-missile systems, including the intermediate-range Agni, or
Fire, seen as an important component of India's efforts to build a
nuclear deterrent against China.
	The United States views the Indian space program with deep concern
because India, which has developed a formidable nuclear- weapons
capability, could employ its civilian rocket technology to build
nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missiles.
	India's civilian space program currently is developing two powerful
space machines, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and
Geostationary Launch Vehicle (GSLV).
	The PSLV's maiden launch is scheduled for March. The planned
development of the GSLV by 1996 will give India an undisputed ICBM
capability.
	The air-breathing propulsion technology is being developed by the
Sarabhai Center for rockets in the next decade.
	Last May, the United States slapped limited trade sanctions against
the Indian Space Research Organization and Russia's Glavkosmos to
discourage the two civilian space agencies from going ahead with a $200
million deal involving the transfer of sophisticated engine technology
for the GSLV.
	Washington argued the cryogenic engine technology that India was
buying could be diverted to its ballistic missile program.
	India contended the U.S. action was unfair because it said it needed
the 12-ton cryogenic engines to build powerful rocket boosters to place
advanced weather and communications satellites in orbit.
	The cryogenic technology combines liquid hydrogen with liquid oxygen
to provide much greater lift-off power to the launch vehicle.


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