Indias Mars Exploration - Research Paper Example

? INDIA’S MARS EXPLORATION It is almost sure that there is a tag between Asian countries competing on space power superiority as space exploration battle stiffens. The current explorations aim at launching space ships into Mars for exploration purposes as well as for prestige and supremacy (Burke, 2013; Zubrin, 2013). Among Asian countries that have shown great commitment to this course in the recent past has been India. Nevertheless, there have been debates ongoing as to the motive driving the intention of India into sending space ships to mars, joining many of superpowers, which have been seen to intensify on the like missions. Among the main concerns that are raised concerning the move are: what is the main motive of India launching mars orbiter especially with increased space exploration across the globe, and, is there a rivalry in competition between China and India concerning space exploration? Therefore, this discussion aims at establishing reasons why India’s space exploration is such an esteemed undertaking amidst complains on increased poverty levels and substantiate on claims that India invests in space exploration to counter China’s supremacy in space exploration within the Asian region. Discussion In a recent article by MacAskill and Nagarajan (2013), India, have plans underway to launch a space ship ‘Mars Orbiter’ towards Mars as race for space power intensifies between the country and China. The two countries are the recent entrants into the race with US, Russia as well as Europe having already launched space explorers into the mars orbit in the past. It is however worth noting that in spite of the open contest between India and China in space supremacy, few or none of the officials in India would not admit this. “India is clearly concerned about China’s recent rise in space prestige and wants to minimize that damage” (MacAskill and Nagarajan, 2013) as is reported by the report and this illustrates the tag existing between the Asian countries. There have been ongoing debates and research studies aimed at establishing the truth in the postulation that India’s increased zeal to launch the mars orbiter is for competition with China as a rival in Asia as against being propelled by reason of gathering scientific knowledge on existence of life on Mars or even to showcase technology advancement of the country. This study therefore identifies the problem in justifying the motives of space exploration by India and sets forth to substantiate the claim. This therefore makes the question of ‘what exactly is the aim to the great exploration investments?’ paramount to the discussion. Besides the main goal of this essay as being to investigate the above posed question, this study envisions to contribute towards bridging the previously identified gap in literature concerning the motives of India launch of the mars orbiter. This study will also guide in future studies in the same theme where the findings will be instrumental in revealing the direction to be taken by future researchers of Asian space exploration in the 21st century. Indian government and the space exploration mission is not based on race towards space exploration supremacy as argued by many. On the contrary, Indian mars exploration is meant to gather scientific information and displaying Indian technology in space exploration. Depending on various literatures available on the topic, there is justifiable evidence to support the postulation above. Technological development as well as social development is necessities for economic growth and development within any nation. India is seen to have increasingly invested in space exploration in the recent past, a phenomenon that sparks heated debates on the intentions while majority of the population in the country still live in absolute poverty. Among many other missions, that India continues to undertake in space exploration in the launch of mars orbiter is a major one. However, with claims circulating that India is determined to invest in the exploration to compete with China, there are distinct missions, which would justify the course. Technological advancement and displaying as well as information gathering are the main reasons, which propel the country to pursue the course. Besides, the country intends to join with other countries, which has successfully launched mars exploration space ships such as Europe, Russia as well as Europe (Rathi, 2013). Global competition on the fourth ranking nation to launch exploration spacecrafts successfully to Mars may explain the reason why India is in efforts towards launching mars orbiter. It is sure that if the efforts were successful, India would lead in Asian countries to launch into mars space successfully exploration despite China’s continued dominance in such space exploration successes (Burrows, 2013). Investment into the mars space exploration by India have sparked many debates on the essence of such huge investments against supporting improved livelihoods of many Indians who continuously in poverty. Nevertheless, it is to be known that feasibility tests conducted prior to embarking on the mission show that investing in the exploration commands great returns in the end. Research and development as well as economic gains are among other long-term benefits that the space exploration is projected to lead to (Subramanian, 2013). The foregoing review on literature shows that various motives that inform the reason on India investing so much in exploring mars are farfetched. The main reason has been shown to be the pursuit of scientific knowledge as well as display of technological advancement as against the perceived competition between India and China as to who dominates apace exploration within the Asian region. Besides, the enormous investment in the mars orbiter is explained by the long-term economic benefits that are postulated and this is confirmed by studies. Nevertheless, there is still the motive that India intends to rise to be the fourth after Europe, Russia as well as US to launch space ships into Mars. In conclusion, therefore, this study shows that contrary to what many see as being the main motivator of India’s launch of mars orbiter, there is substantial evidence that India is not merely motivated by competition with China to undertake the project but rather by the economic benefits to be accrued. Besides, prestige in technological advancement and developmental research add to main drivers of India into this investment. It is however to be noted that the race to technological supremacy of nations is evident in the space exploration undertakings. The globe currently knows four countries to be in the lead in having successfully launched their exploration into the mars orbit and hence such a country, as India would therefore be justified in trying to keep pace. Future studies in line with the current theme should be directed towards quantitative justification of economic feasibility of the space explorations undertaken by India despite the poverty levels within the economy. References Burke J., (2013). ISRO to launch India's first spacecraft to Mars. Retrieved on Dec 30, 2013 from: < http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/04/india-mars-probe-launch-space> Burrows B., (2013). India launches spacecraft to Mars shooting to the forefront of space exploration. Retrieved on Dec 30, 2013 from: < http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/india-launches-spacecraft-mars-shooting-2678525> MacAskill A. and Nagarajan G., (2013). India Prepares to Launch Mars Orbiter in Space Race With China. Retrieved on Dec 30, 2013 from: < http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-11-03/india-prepares-to-launch-mars-orbiter-in-space-race-with-china.html> Rathi A., (2013). Poor countries want space programs more than rich ones do. Retrieved on Dec 30, 2013 from: < http://arstechnica.com/science/2013/11/poor-countries-want-space-programs-more-than-rich-ones-do/> Subramanian S., (2013). India’s Frugal Mission to Mars. Retrieved on Dec 30, 2013 from: < http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/elements/2013/11/a-mission-to-mars-on-the-cheap.html> Zubrin R., (2013). Mars Direct: Space Exploration, the Red Planet, and the Human Future: A Special from Tarcher/Penguin. Penguin Group US, Google books. Read More