Indias Space Mission Lacks Justification - Essay Example

? India’s Space Mission lacks Justification India’s Space Mission lacks Justification On November 4 India made history by launching its probe into space. India took about fifteen months to prepare the rocket that and the procedure intended for use in the mission. India became the fourth country in the globe to venture into a data-collecting project in the space. If it proves successful, then India will pride itself being in the league of wealthy nations such as the United States, Russia and other European countries that have ventured into research in Mars. Most importantly, India will be able to attain the prestigious position of China, its Asian competitor. The project cost the country about 73 million US dollars. Evidently, considering the country’s economic standing, the space mission seems ridiculous and lacks justification. This paper will provide evidence that the space mission was a misplaced priority. If this mission proves successful, it may have a huge benefit to India. This is because it will receive recognition for utilizing improvisation to launch one of the cheapest missions to Mars. However, if it does not succeed, the country will have wasted invaluable resources of money and time that can be invested in raising the living standards of some families in India. Instead of paying all of this money to do a task like this, the money can be used to improve the economy and social problems in India. If India had a stable and a good standing economy, then it would be fine if they thought of launching this mission. Apparently, as this paper will discuss, India has many social issues to address. The country spent fifteen months of preparation for a mission that cost it 73 million US dollars. Statistics reveal that India exhibits a poor economy, a factor that highlights the need for it to design policies and strategies that can help its economy register a level of growth. It is unfortunate that the country’s economy has been dwindling over the years (Bhowmick, 2013). The country’s systems exhibit low quality with worrying poor standards of life. This places emphasis on the urgency for transforming its policy formulation strategies and striving to address its emerging needs. Instead of focusing on such issues that need critical addressing, the country has diverted its efforts, time, and resources to launching a space probe. The decision to focus on the space mission seems irrational, and the government cannot offer any valid justification for such an expenditure on a luxurious adventure in launching a space probe. Evidently, countries that focus on the space missions have registered immense progress in improving societal standards. Examples include the United States, which is the leading global economy and has held a superior position for many years. Evidently, the country has multiple policies in place to improve its social welfare and fund its internal research projects. Considering an additional example of Russia, it becomes evident that it has a stable economy, and can comfortably invest in space missions. Additionally, China joined the nations that have the capacity to fund space missions (Mirani, 2013). India’s economy does not compare with that of these nations, and explains why sacrificing 73 million US dollars is ridiculous. India does not compare with these nations, and its investment in space projects should be its last priority. In self-defense, India claims that 73 million is minimal compared to the 671 million US dollars that other countries would spend on such a venture. However, it does not matter the amount the country spent on the mission, the fact remains that the country could have redirected such funds to improving one of its poor social systems (Messreget, 2013). Evidently, that amount was sufficient to provide food for the malnourished children that add up to 50% of all children. It is ironical that a country can spend 73 million US dollars, while half the population of its children is perishing with hunger. Although it is true that improvisation helped India minimize the cost of the space mission, India could have invested such improvisation in other sectors. For example, the innovative work force can develop solutions to the power insufficiency experienced by the country. The innovative workforce can provide solar technologies that can serve as renewable energy sufficient to meet the country’s energy demands. The need for the country to provide lasting solutions to the surging energy shortages that have defined the country in the recent past should have compelled the Indian government to consider it as a priority (Mirani, 2013). Nations have the responsibility of indulging in research and development projects that can provide solutions for the future. The space mission is a form of research and is only justifiable if a country has successfully launched basic research and provided solutions for the immediate future (Lele, 2013). The findings that will emanate from the space mission will benefit future generations in the distant future that are not likely to affect the current populations. Therefore, India should focus on the embarking on basic research that can solve its immediate problems. For example, the country should indulge in basic research that answers questions such as its retarded economic growth, failed health care systems, and poor education system. Evidently, research in these areas can help the country analyze its current situation. Moreover, it is only rational for the country to solve its surging problems before probing into the space. Data collection from space will not benefit India in any way. It is saddening that the country focuses on space research in order to have something to pride in. Such national pride is of little value compared to the shame bestowed upon the country because of the dwindling economy. It is more surprising that India uses the funds it receives in the form of aid from Britain in such expenditures, instead of setting realistic priorities. it is irrational for a dependent country to invest in luxury research instead of using the aids in development projects that can foster its development projects. Such aids are sufficient for the country to improve its education system. The education system lacks international standards of education (Dey, 2013). The improvisation levels in the space mission can be transferred to the education, which is an investment that can present multiple benefits to the country. Conclusion Evidently, India’s venture into space research is evidence of misplaced priorities. The country should focus on basic research in a bid to solve its multiple domestic problems. The money and time invested in that mission can be directed to different sectors of importance such as energy, education, and food production. The country has things that are more important on its priority list for it to venture into luxury research carried out by wealthy nations. Addressing such issues will benefit the country, and registering economic growth is more prestigious than being in the top five lists of space explorers. References Bhowmick, N. (2013). India races to space with a mission to Mars. Retrieved on 13th December 2013 from http://world.time.com/2013/11/05/india-races-to-space-with-a-mission-to-mars/ Dey, A. (2013). The Indian Mission to Mars is a Waste. Retrieved on 13th December 2013 from http://www.deeshaa.org/2013/11/11/the-indian-mission-to-mars-is-a-waste/ Lele, Ajey. (2013). Mission Mars: India's Quest for the Red Planet. Springer Verlag. Messreget, B. (2013). Questions raised over India’s Mars spending, ISRO justifies project. Retrieved on 13th December 2013 from http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/salman-delays-jai-ho-promotions-for-aamir-s-dhoom-3/article1-1162149.aspx?hts0021 Mirani, L. (2013). India is both capable of sending a rocket to Mars and fighting poverty at the same time. Retrieved on 13th December 2013 from http://qz.com/143717/indias-cut-rate-mission-to-mars-doesnt-distract-from-fighting-poverty/ Read More