The following paper will discuss the topic of ISRO to launch India’s first spacecraft to Mars. Even thought primarily it might seem as a sensation with positive factors, there are some concerns that have been voiced by people of India, as well as other countries. Some of the benefits attributed to the mission relate to the race between India and China in the exploration of space. Also, the global reputation of India will be aided as one of the countries that have been able to launch an “explorer” to reach Mars. The negative sides of the mission pertain to the fact that the money used for the mission could have been used for the benefit of people. Overall, the matter has many perspectives which will be closely determined and analyzed.
The reputation of many countries in relation to others has been an important part of the goals set by different governments. The article mentions that the previous race for space exploration was between Russia and the United States. Now, it is between India and China, but it is unclear if the benefits for the “winner” of the race will be justified. From one perspective, India will join other superpowers who have been involved in space and Mars exploration for some time (Burke, 2013). This will possibly raise the morale of the Indian people and the government. The modern world is greatly focused on the reputation that a country has among others, and space exploration seems to be one of the factors that play an important role. But, even if India does succeed and the race is won, it is unclear what benefits it will bring. Of course, there is no denying that Indian people will be much more proud of their country and sciences, but moral satisfaction is a very relative benefit that the nation could have.
Many people believe that the mission is a waste of money and resources that could be used to better the present conditions in the country. This point is valid because millions of Indians have little or no food, reside in poor conditions and have no access to basic amenities. Indian government is spending 70 million US dollars for the mission, and justifies such expenditure as being relatively small compared to other expenses of the country (Burke, 2013). But the question is not only about money, it is also about the moral obligations that the government has towards its citizens. Space exploration might be needed to support certain technologies, but there is a limit that must be set (Usa, 2007).
The use of satellites to aid in the defense and communications is justified, but sending probes to far off planets in search of life is rather unneeded. It has been already proven and hypothesized that life can exist in other worlds, and the mere fact that people possess this knowledge does not do anything to people on the Earth. The knowledge is useless in the moral and physical sense because there are many problems that people are concerned with that are much more important. Feeding the hungry, providing shelter and healthcare must be primary, and this is attributable to all countries. Instead, the governments are spending millions of dollars on missions that send resources to planets only to never return.
It is obvious that 70 million is a rather significant amount of money that can be used for many purposes. Healthcare services and social programs can be bettered, and people can be educated on how to keep their health in check. With the international aid that is given to India each year, it is unfair that the government is spending valuable resources on something that is not needed. The resources can be used for education and development of infrastructure, which will create a strong base for the nation to move into the future (Bhatt, 2004). It is important that the society is strong internally, as only by having healthy and happy people a nation can evolve and grow.
Instead, the money is being “canned” and shot out of the world into a desert of a “dead” planet. Even if the hundreds of millions of Indian people will feel pride for their nation because of deep space exploration, their health will not benefit. Also, it is possible to assume that people of India are already proud of their culture and society, as it is one of the oldest and wisest cultures in the world (Kulasresthav, 2006). The pride and honor of a society should come from within the people and the mutual understanding between the society and the government. Instead, the government did not vote on the question, it did not ask the people if this is exactly what they wanted, but it singlehandedly decided what will be of benefit to the country.
In conclusion, it is unquestionable that the benefits of the space mission are minimal in comparison to the good that could have been done locally. This fact is true for all countries, especially those in dyer conditions.
References
Bhatt, M. (2004). Poverty and Food Security in India: Problems and Policies. New Delhi: Aakar Books.
Burke, J. (2013). ISRO to launch India’s first spacecraft to Mars. Web.
Kulasresthav, M. (2006). Culture India. New Delhi, India: Lotus Press.
Usa, I. (2007). India Space Programs and Exploration Handbook. Washington: Int’l Business Publications.