Satellite launch in India torpedoes Italy-U.S. relations

[angeldemon_007]

The launch of the Italian satellite AGILE on board an Indian-built rocket from Sriharikota threw U.S.-Italian relations out of kilter in 2007, after the U.S. maintained that Italy had re-exported classified U.S. defence technology to India without a proper licence.

In a confidential cable (110065: confidential) sent to the Secretary of State's office and U.S. embassies in India and Paris, U.S. Ambassador to Italy Ronald P. Spogli revealed that AGILE carried on board a reaction wheel assembly that was included on the U.S. munitions list and subject to U.S. export controls. The Americans, the testily worded May 26 cable showed, had engaged with Italy in Washington and Rome for up to a year before AGILE's April 23 launch, advising Rome that it would have “potential negative consequences for economic bilateral negotiations” but that the Italians had “disregarded” their council.

Italian response

Minister Giovanni Manfredi, Head of Office VI (Energy, Space, S&T Cooperation, Information Society, and Nuclear Issues) of Italy's Directorate General for Multilateral Economic and Financial Affairs gave a phlegmatic response to the delivery of “a strongly worded protest” by U.S. ECMIN Thomas Delaware.

“Manfredi,” wrote Mr. Spogli, “made little attempt to defend ASI and/or the Ministry of Universities' decision to authorize AGILE's Indian launch, disregarding MFA's counsel. He explained that the MFA has no authority over either the Agency or the Ministry.” He also told the U.S. the satellite “probably did not deliberately violate U.S. export control regulations,” given efforts to remove other defence components originally ordered for AGILE. He said the U.S. had handled Italy's Carlo Gavazzi Spazio's export licence requests in a “confusing” way and Italy had relied upon the assurances of the U.S. company Goodrich regarding the reaction wheel component.

The successful launch of AGILE put India among an exclusive group of nations whose space programmes were to commercial use. The Italian media, to Washington's chagrin, reported “little but tough” Italy resisting an American attempt to restrict Italian research.

The Hindu : Opinion / Op-Ed : Satellite launch in India torpedoes Italy-U.S. relations

 

[Ammyy]

The launch of the Italian satellite AGILE on board an Indian-built rocket from Sriharikota threw U.S.-Italian relations out of kilter in 2007, after the U.S. maintained that Italy had re-exported classified U.S. defence technology to India without a proper licence.

In a confidential cable (110065: confidential) sent to the Secretary of State's office and U.S. embassies in India and Paris, U.S. Ambassador to Italy Ronald P. Spogli revealed that AGILE carried on board a reaction wheel assembly that was included on the U.S. munitions list and subject to U.S. export controls. The Americans, the testily worded May 26 cable showed, had engaged with Italy in Washington and Rome for up to a year before AGILE's April 23 launch, advising Rome that it would have “potential negative consequences for economic bilateral negotiations” but that the Italians had “disregarded” their council.

Italian response

Minister Giovanni Manfredi, Head of Office VI (Energy, Space, S&T Cooperation, Information Society, and Nuclear Issues) of Italy's Directorate General for Multilateral Economic and Financial Affairs gave a phlegmatic response to the delivery of “a strongly worded protest” by U.S. ECMIN Thomas Delaware.

“Manfredi,” wrote Mr. Spogli, “made little attempt to defend ASI and/or the Ministry of Universities' decision to authorize AGILE's Indian launch, disregarding MFA's counsel. He explained that the MFA has no authority over either the Agency or the Ministry.” He also told the U.S. the satellite “probably did not deliberately violate U.S. export control regulations,” given efforts to remove other defence components originally ordered for AGILE. He said the U.S. had handled Italy's Carlo Gavazzi Spazio's export licence requests in a “confusing” way and Italy had relied upon the assurances of the U.S. company Goodrich regarding the reaction wheel component.

The successful launch of AGILE put India among an exclusive group of nations whose space programmes were to commercial use. The Italian media, to Washington's chagrin, reported “little but tough” Italy resisting an American attempt to restrict Italian research.

The Hindu : Opinion / Op-Ed : Satellite launch in India torpedoes Italy-U.S. relations

Really like the pic

 

[Kinetic]

Liked the cartoon! Uncle Sam! lol

 

[baker]

lol .. poor uncle sam

 

[luckyyy]

money is honey...

 

[gubbi]

Apart from the fun people are having, how does this amount to a re-export of the controlled technology? That sensitive piece of tech is part of the satellite and a team accompanies the satellite from Italy. The satellite is not taken apart before being mounted onto the launch vehicle. So if I am not wrong, Indian technicians do not get to lay their hands of such technology. So what is this fuss about re-export all about?

 

[misterme2]

I only hope INdia took advantage of this slip up.....major advantage for ISRO...but knowing the INdian slave mentality we did what our masters asked us to do because we look out for their interests before ours.

 

[Kinetic]

Apart from the fun people are having, how does this amount to a re-export of the controlled technology? That sensitive piece of tech is part of the satellite and a team accompanies the satellite from Italy. The satellite is not taken apart before being mounted onto the launch vehicle. So if I am not wrong, Indian technicians do not get to lay their hands of such technology. So what is this fuss about re-export all about?

Thats why its called Uncle Sam. They want to dictate things in all ways. Even if the satellite had some wires from US that is subjected to export control. Here the reaction wheels are commonly used in Indian and other countries satellite for long time but they need some issue to dictate and make fuss. If Italy wouldn't use US made reaction wheels than other countries would have sell it.

We also hear so much fuss about buying US weapons but will never hear them from other countries.

 

[Tshering22]

I only hope INdia took advantage of this slip up.....major advantage for ISRO...but knowing the INdian slave mentality we did what our masters asked us to do because we look out for their interests before ours.

I agree with ya. Love that phrase "slave mentality".. it so honestly describes the mentality of our people especially in Indian government. I am willing to bet my last month's salary that ISRO would have simply nodded like a puppy and continued to launch the satellite rather than take the advantage of Italy's goofup.

Apart from the fun people are having, how does this amount to a re-export of the controlled technology? That sensitive piece of tech is part of the satellite and a team accompanies the satellite from Italy. The satellite is not taken apart before being mounted onto the launch vehicle. So if I am not wrong, Indian technicians do not get to lay their hands of such technology. So what is this fuss about re-export all about?

Has US ever done anything without a fuss? Anything that has anything even if it is a US made nut and bolt package, is considered US technology and being extremely corporatist, they have something what I would call is the Macintosh Mentality:- to extract every grain of benefits even from a dead carcass. In a way, this was pressure on Italy to consider US launches rather than Indian or other options.

 

[misterme2]

I agree with ya. Love that phrase "slave mentality".. it so honestly describes the mentality of our people especially in Indian government. I am willing to bet my last month's salary that ISRO would have simply nodded like a puppy and continued to launch the satellite rather than take the advantage of Italy's goofup.



Has US ever done anything without a fuss? Anything that has anything even if it is a US made nut and bolt package, is considered US technology and being extremely corporatist, they have something what I would call is the Macintosh Mentality:- to extract every grain of benefits even from a dead carcass. In a way, this was pressure on Italy to consider US launches rather than Indian or other options.

Its so true bro..lol... we don't realize we are the ones living in a fantasy world..We think ppl will respect us but for how long? ONly as long as we last, and who says the respect is genuine? If China copies everything and does not suffer from any action , then why not India? We have a bunch of idiots who run this country. Even the Dalai lama noted that India is weak, it cannot bow down to pressure all the time. Instead of reflecting on the meaning of what is being said, the media just attack the msg. I wish the Dalai put more emphasis on India, not international matters maybe creating think tank, marketing, pr, etc. If the Tibetans do it better than their gov't ppl will notice and maybe that will create a spark that just might change India forever...at least it is coming from a man of great reputation....

 

[SAUD-404]

Liked the cartoon! Uncle Sam! lol

uncle SAM so badly want USA written on that rocket

 

[desioptimist]

Apart from the fun people are having, how does this amount to a re-export of the controlled technology? That sensitive piece of tech is part of the satellite and a team accompanies the satellite from Italy. The satellite is not taken apart before being mounted onto the launch vehicle. So if I am not wrong, Indian technicians do not get to lay their hands of such technology. So what is this fuss about re-export all about?

Thanks. Most people will bash US at any opportunity possible, most comments here has nothing to do with the news item above.
Also Indian slave mentality bla bla, has nothing to do with news item.

 

[Dalai Lama]

A reaction wheel assembly seems to be a relatively minor component. US is making a big fuss just for the sake of it.

The Reaction Wheel Assembly (RWA) is a rotating inertial mass,
driven by a brushless DC electric motor. When power is applied to
the motor, the wheel accelerates, causing the satellite body to
which the motor housing is attached to rotate in the opposite
direction due to the induced counter torque.

http://www.bradford-space.com/pdf/be_datasheet_rwu_sep2006.pdf

Furthermore it's a component used in the Italian satellite. Nothing to do with India.

 

[Dash]

I agree with ya. Love that phrase "slave mentality".. it so honestly describes the mentality of our people especially in Indian government. I am willing to bet my last month's salary that ISRO would have simply nodded like a puppy and continued to launch the satellite rather than take the advantage of Italy's goofup.


Has US ever done anything without a fuss? Anything that has anything even if it is a US made nut and bolt package, is considered US technology and being extremely corporatist, they have something what I would call is the Macintosh Mentality:- to extract every grain of benefits even from a dead carcass. In a way, this was pressure on Italy to consider US launches rather than Indian or other options.

Welcome back...... good to see your comments again........

But ISRO a puppet??, I thought they are most dependable and independent org we have in this country.!!!

 

[misterme2]

Thanks. Most people will bash US at any opportunity possible, most comments here has nothing to do with the news item above.
Also Indian slave mentality bla bla, has nothing to do with news item.

Bla bla.....if you nothing to contribute then shut your mouth