SENIOR SCIENTISTS are among 30 people who have been placed under arrest in India over the past few days, following an espionage scandal, which has rocked the country's Space Research Organisation.

The Indian authorities say that it is the biggest commercial-espionage ring ever to have been exposed by the country's security agencies. Organisations in France, Germany, Pakistan, Russia, Sweden and the USA are alleged to be involved.

The security agencies say that the espionage ring had been trying to smuggle out data involving Indian Space Research Organisation work on liquid-propulsion systems, cryogenic-engine development and very-low-frequency radio-communication capabilities.

Source: Flight International