NASA Needs an Indian Tutorial, Bloomberg Review
“What can the U.S. space program learn from the Indian one? Not much, if the standard is outer-space achievement: India’s modest record mostly includes feats the U.S. accomplished decades ago. But if the standard is having a clear vision of what you want to accomplish — and getting that done quickly and economically, there might be a lesson or two. Consider the speech that India’s new Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, gave Monday, shortly after India’s space program successfully launched five satellites belonging to far wealthier countries on an Indian-designed rocket. Combatting criticism that India’s space program is a profligate waste when so many of the nation’s citizens struggle to fulfill basic needs, Modi offered a concise vision for why such launches are necessary: Many misunderstand space technology to be for the elite. That it has nothing to do with the common man. I however believe such technology is fundamentally connected with the common man. As a change agent, it can empower and connect, to transform his life.”
India’s Rocket Missions Are Cheaper Than What It Takes To Make A Single Hollywood Movie Inquisitor
“India’s Mangalyaan satellite to Mars, cost a total of $75 million. The entire budget for the mission didn’t even cross a measly $100 million. The movie Gravity alone cost $100 million, quipped India’s newly elected Prime Minister Narendra Modi: “I have heard about the film Gravity. I am told the cost of sending an Indian rocket to space is less than the money invested in making the Hollywood movie.”
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