That [moster] will still take about atleast 15 more years and we will then be a full 60 years behind NASA [in creating large rockets].
Please go through my previous posts once.
As per the rule of thumb, the initial step is the hardest and from there its easiest.
Good example of this theory is how DRDO achieved as many milestones with its missile developments.
Also, if you look at the time frame needed to develop PSLV to that of GSLV-MKIII, its a surprise....ain`t it?
I am under the strong belief that post 2012, the rocket development will be on high-speed track just like missile development of DRDO.
For ISRO till now, manpower crunch hit it the most.Now that the attrition rate went down soooooooo significantly, they can pledge as many PL for different projects.
Also we cant compare ourself to US/Russia. the situation at those times is different to today.We are not engaged ina cold war with any other nation.And India is still thriving to give much importance to science and technology,thereby spending that large chunks of money on S&T.
Agree we will be late by 60 years.But we go by our own needs and not in a cold war with any one
Even if we go by the conservative estimates, Saturn V Launch Price is $431.000 million in 1967($2.5billion if built today) compared to that of HLV by ISRO at ~9000 crore rupee(est cost once developed ) which is ~$180million(todays exchange rate).ITs a factor of 14.
And realise that ISRO is doing all this with a budget of 6715crore(2012-2013)~$1.3billion compared to that of NASA$20 billion(2011).
There is no comparison even at a minute scale between these two organizations and their expansionist views.