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Group Captain Ajey Lele (Retd.) is Senior Fellow in the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses and heads its Centre on Strategic Technologies. He started his professional career as an officer in the Indian Air Force in 1987 and took early retirement from the service to pursue his academic interests. He has a Masters degree in Physics from Pune University, and Masters and MPhil degrees in Defence and Strategic Studies from Madras University. He has done his doctorate from the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi. His specific areas of research include issues related to Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), Space Security and Strategic Technologies. He has contributed articles to various national and international journals, websites and newspapers. He has authored nine books and has also has been an editor for seven books. He is a recipient of K. Subrahmanyam Award (2013) which is conferred for outstanding contribution in the area of strategic and security studies.
Quantum Technologies and Military Strategy
China Destroys the Myth of Asian Space Race
Senior Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Gp. Capt. Ajey Lele’s article, ‘China Destroys the Myth of Asian Space Race’ has been published by Society for Study of Peace and Conflict (SSPC), on January 06, 2022.
The article analyses China’s stellar performance in the space domain despite the ongoing pandemic.
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Iran’s satellite launch and JCPOA
Senior Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Gp. Capt. Ajey Lele’s article ‘Iran’s satellite launch and JCPOA’ has been published in Financial Express on January 04, 2022.
On one hand, they (Iran) are arguing for the necessity of removing the US sanctions, which is harming their economy greatly, while on the other hand, they are undertaking missions like launching satellites and raising political temperatures, unnecessarily (or by design), says Gp. Capt. Lele.
Military Satellites: India needs to FastTrack
Senior Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Gp. Capt. Ajey Lele’s article ‘Military Satellites: India needs to FastTrack’ has been published in Financial Express on November 26, 2021.
Russia’s irresponsible ASAT Test
Senior Fellow, Gp. Capt. Ajey Lele’s article ‘Russia’s irresponsible ASAT Test’ has been published in Financial Express on November 26, 2021.
It has been reported that Russia has conducted an anti-satellite test (ASAT) on Nov 15, 2021. The test is known to have generated around 1500 pieces of detectable (trackable) debris in low earth orbit and in addition hundreds of thousands of very small pieces of space debris. The test has come as an unpleasant surprise and has raised much concern about space security, says Gp. Capt. Lele.
China and US: Concerns and Interests in Hypersonic Domain
Senior Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Gp. Capt. Ajey Lele’s article ‘China and US: Concerns and Interests in Hypersonic Domain’ has been published by the Society for the Study of Peace and Conflict (SSPC), on October 21, 2021.
The Indian Space Association seeks to broaden commercial interests
Senior Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Gp. Capt. Ajey Lele’s Commentary ‘The Indian Space Association seeks to broaden commercial interests’ was published in ‘The Space Review’ on October 18, 2021.
India needs to avoid Moon Trap
Senior Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Gp. Capt. Ajey Lele’s article ‘India needs to avoid Moon Trap’ has been published in Financial Express on October, 11, 2021.
ISRO’s Cryogenic Conundrum
Senior Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Gp. Capt. Ajey Lele's article 'ISRO's Cryogenic Conundrum' has been published in The Space Review, on August 16, 2021.
India is just nowhere near to the capabilities of NASA, ESA, Russia, and China and even that of companies like SpaceX. ISRO needs to prioritize its agenda, says Gp. Capt. Lele.
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Medical aspects of Space Tourism
Senior Fellow Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Gp. Capt. Ajey Lele’s article ‘Medical aspects of Space Tourism’ has been published in Financial Express on July 30, 2021.
It is expected that the type of space tourism, which Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin are offering in near future, would make space accessible to the general (rich) public. Now is the time to formulate medical guidelines even for this type of travel. The people who are allowed to travel should be in good health and should not be suffering from heart and blood pressure related complications, says Gp. Capt. Lele.