The underlying problem here is, weather and observation satellites have both a very limited and very broad political constituencies.

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The country has plans for better satellite communications, broadcasting facilities, weather forecasting and Earth observation missions all of which will have a dual civilian and military role, but none of which need be manned.

ECONOMIST: China in space

India is short of observation stations, weather planes, satellites, climate scientists and modellers.

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It found that the "weather has taken its toll" on the rotating observation tower which stands on the seafront.

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