India has unveiled an array of ambitious space projects, allocating ₹227 billion (approximately $2.7 billion or £2.1 billion) to fund them. This marks the largest funding commitment for space endeavors in the nation’s history, focusing on several key initiatives.
The plans include:
Despite this substantial financial commitment, experts emphasize that these projects are not extravagant. The cost-effectiveness of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) continues to capture global attention.
India’s missions are significantly more economical compared to their international counterparts. For instance:
In contrast, NASA’s Maven orbiter had a budget of $582 million, while Russia’s Luna-25, which recently failed, cost around $133 million.
“ISRO’s missions are so cheap because all its technology is home-grown,” states former ISRO finance head Sisir Kumar Das.
ISRO has mastered the art of operating on a tight budget since its inception in the 1960s. With India’s independence still fresh and resources scarce, ISRO’s founder, Vikram Sarabhai, successfully advocated for a space program by demonstrating its potential benefits for citizens.
Key factors contributing to ISRO’s low costs include:
Mylswamy Annadurai, who led India’s lunar and Mars missions, shared that small teams often worked extended hours driven by passion rather than overtime pay. This environment fosters creativity and innovation under budget constraints.
For instance, during the Chandrayaan-1 mission, engineers reduced hardware weight by modifying existing designs rather than opting for more expensive rockets.
As India prepares for a manned mission to the Moon by 2040, it recognizes the need for more powerful rockets. The government has approved development for the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV), set to be operational by 2032. However, as private players enter the sector, maintaining low costs may become increasingly challenging.
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