Vehicle for growth

NASA wants to grow the launch vehicle industry by partnering with companies in the U.S. and abroad, including India and Israel. “It [partnering] is less expensive, more reliable, and creates a new market,” says Edward Hoffman, NASA’s first chief knowledge officer. In 2011, the U.S. government discontinued shuttle programmes to divert funding to launch vehicles. NASA seeks to support—not just lead—projects such as Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)’s moon mission, Chandrayaan, in which it has been participating since 2009. The Rs 426 crore Chandrayan II mission is scheduled for 2016. “Collaborations mean disparity and enhanced capabilities that one nation alone may not possess. More important, we have stability and continuity,” says Lewis Peach, former director of advance programmes at NASA.