Challenge: India On The Moon!

Given the fact that India was for a long time on the short stick-end of global Capitalism, a socialist turn for India is highly likely with post-1900 PODs, although not really inevitable until the National Congress had taken its modern form under Nehru's leadership by the 1940s. That being said, it seems plausible that different British policies post-1900 and different currents in Indian political history might give you a far more capitalism-friendly India post-independence under different management: earlier PODs are better than later ones.

Or we could go full speed in the opposite direction if we have PODs going back before the Russian revolution: Stalinist-type mass mobilization was certainly more successful at fast heavy industrialization than the Congress Party's Fabianism-with-a-million-miles-of-red-tape. If Red India breaks away from Britain in the 1940s, it might well be putting people in orbit by the 80s, albiet at horrendous human costs...

Bruce
 

Archibald

Banned
How about this:

For some reason, Patel pushes Nehru toward allowing more private industry. After Nehru's death, Desai (who lives longer) moves toward an even more pro-free market policy. The U.S manages to launch Alan Shepard into space first; U.S-USSR Space Race ends in orbit. Indira Gandhi dies in an accident before she can become Prime Minister. INC gets defeated in elections in the 70s. Meanwhile, ISRO is very successful with its Earth Remote Sensing satellites to help India develop its agricultural sector and resources. Rajiv Gandhi goes into politics for some reason and gets elected PM in 1984. Clementine is launched earlier and detects water ice on the Moon. Rajiv is convinced by some Indian aerospace engineer to slowly try for the Moon to exploit resources there, as well as on Near Earth Asteroids and to develop space-based manufacturing and solar power. First Indian manned orbital mission in 1990, an Indian space station by 2000, and and Indian lunar landing in 2011. How does that sound?

Also, that space tech might India develop in this TL? Does India go Apollo EOR-style along with a Big Dumb Booster to build lunar and asteroid bases, or builds a shuttle that launches on top of a heavy-lift rocket instead?

Here's my own take (as requested ;) )

This is a very tortuous atempt, since I'd say that the thread premise is quite hard to fulfill.

I think we need a complete overhaul of the space race, from the ground up (1956 ?)

Step 1

The USA launch the first satellite, or the first man, in space, but they beat the soviets whatsoever, and so there's no moon race in the 60's.
Main programs are manned space stations and application satellites, both for remote sensing of Earth ressources.

Most importantly, remote sensing of Earth consists of two systems that complement each others
- unmanned platforms on polar or GEO orbit, for global coverage
- manned platforms at 200 - 450 km where astronauts snap pictures of interest

Others countries gradually enter this field, including India, with help from France and the Soviet Union.

Until, one day, someone suggest to try remote sensing of... the Moon ressources.

Step 2

Harsher oil crisis in the 70's mean the environmentalist movement take off earlier; an oil subsitute has to be found, for example fuel cells or methanol.

According to Dennis Wingo, the only viable lunar business case would be to mine lunar platinum. This platinum would be used in fuel cells, the fuel cells would be used to power clean, green cars.
Mining lunar platinum might be viable because the Earth stock of platinum is very limited (to three large areas: South Africa, Canada, Russia, and that's all).

Perhaps have a Moon rush between Europe, India, china and the USA then.
 
OTL Indian Space Research Organisation
got allot support of France also in form of Ariane Rocket Hardware
like L40 liquid strap-on boosters for GSLV
are defacto license Ariane 4 liquid strap-on boosters
and the Vikas engine is License of Ariane Vking engines

this Join Venture between ISRO and CNES start allready in 1970s
ISRO would to be part of Diamant B/C multinational Program*
But French president Valery Giscard d'Estaing consider the Space Program "To big for the french nation"
try to kill the Ariane, Diamant programm in 1975, Ariane was saved, but on cost of Diamant...
I wonder wat happend if ISRO gave money for Diamant B/C for technology transfer in 1975 ?

*
Anglo-Germano-Indian-French Join venture project from 1960-1970s
consist of french L-17 Diamant B, Black Arrow second stage with fairings. and french third stage P.4
the C version had ISOR fourth stage new German fairings and a fifth stage with High energy fuels
in end only the Diamant BP4 made on Launch pad
 
If India goes the free-market route and grows faster and earlier, then yes. But India going free market won't sit well with the Soviets until the late 80s...
In regards to the Indian moon goal, it is far better for India to keep a quasi socialist economy until the late 1980s.

Needless to say, the Soviets had a very extensive manned space program. A socialist inclined India, especially one with very early V-2, V-3, V-4... rocket experience and considering moving into the Soviet "orbit" would get to participate in for decades. Indian participation grows towards partnership.
I dont think India can go to the moon with out the Soviet "booster".
 
Top