The solely programmed Indian mission to Mars, commonly known as Mangalyaan or the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) was launched on November 5th, 2013 by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). The path breaking project has received mixed reactions from different sections of people. Many feel that the Rs.450 Crore budget ‘Mission to Mars’ is a waste of money, considering the fact that so many Indians still live below the poverty line and that money could have been utilized for their benefit, while many are of the opinion that this was a path breaking success in the history of Indian Space Research.
The 750 million km journey into the Martian Orbit was indeed a crucial operation to be conducted on the Indian ground and the risk quotient was high considering the fact that no country had succeeded in reaching Mars in the first attempt itself. Compared to other countries like China and Japan, budget was a rock bottom amount to carry out such a colossal mission.
The total cruise phase will span over a period of 300 days and the main objective of the mission to develop the technologies required for design, planning, management and operations of an interplanetary mission. It is an epic step to demonstrate India’s technical capabilities. After its successful launch, much to the anticipation of the entire nation, the Mangalyaan successfully launched its Trans- Martian Injection in the wee hours of December 1st, 2013. It is expected to reach its target in a time span of ten months.
However, a skeptical outlook has been received from many, stating that the budget may not be a big amount compared to the American or Chinese standards, but coming from a developing country is a toll on the Indian taxpayers, especially because the mission doesn’t promise any immediate benefit to the nation. The Indian space ambition, according to many organizations isn’t realistic.
This logic has strongly been countered by a section of believers! When a country like India is involved in a multiple number of scams and scandals; and millions are invested in attempts to unmask the financial, mining or fodder scams; this revolutionary step should be applauded by the citizens regardless of any background. If such missions can instill a scientific temperament into the minds of the people; the land that still is home to a hundred numbers of superstitions and non-scientific practices, is definitely going to move one step forward with this giant escalation into the space. Besides, this mission would also make India join the ranks of pioneers like that of the US, Russia and Europe. If Mangalyaan becomes successful in tracing “presence of life” in the Mars or even the “possibilities” of life on the planet, it would be a remarkable discovery not only for India, but for this planet as well.
(This article has been written by Corporate Communication Team at Fortune Institute of International Business– An MBA College in South Delhi. The article shows their views only)