Newsbytes
  • India
  • Business
  • World
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Science
  • Entertainment
  • Auto
  • Lifestyle
  • Inspirational
  • Career
  • Bengaluru
  • Delhi
  • Mumbai
  • Videos
  • Phone Reviews
  • Find Cricket Statistics
Hindi
More
Newsbytes
Hindi
Newsbytes
User Placeholder

Hi,

Logout


India
Business
World
Politics
Sports
Science
Entertainment
Auto
Lifestyle
Inspirational
Career
Bengaluru
Delhi
Mumbai
Videos
Phone Reviews
Find Cricket Statistics

More Links
  • Videos

Download Android App

Follow us on
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube
 
Home / News / India News / Is the Gaganyaan mission a politically motivated vanity project?
  • India

    Is the Gaganyaan mission a politically motivated vanity project?

    Shiladitya Ray
    Written by
    Shiladitya Ray
    Mail
    Last updated on Sep 07, 2018, 01:10 am
    Is the Gaganyaan mission a politically motivated vanity project?
  • On August 15, PM Narendra Modi announced, to the world's surprise and, ironically, to ISRO's surprise, that India would send its astronauts to space by 2022.

    The announcement sent the space agency scuttling to make requisite arrangements for the mega project, which would indeed mark an important step for India's space program.

    However, the crucial question of why ISRO wasn't consulted still looms large.

  • In this article
    Ideally, ISRO should have been in the loop Experts think ISRO might struggle to meet the deadline Human spaceflight normally involves long term planning Rs. 10,000cr has been earmarked, but is it worth it? Is a manned spaceflight that important for India? The manned spaceflight program fits snugly into the BJP's narrative
  • Consultation

    Ideally, ISRO should have been in the loop

    Ideally, ISRO should have been in the loop
    Credits:
  • Commenting on Modi's announcement, ISRO chief K Sivan had then said, "It came as a big surprise to us."

    Yet, the question is, should it have come as a big surprise to ISRO?

    Logic says no. ISRO, being the agency responsible for all of India's space missions, should ideally have been consulted before lofty promises were made.

    But, Modi went ahead with it anyway.

  • Deadline

    Experts think ISRO might struggle to meet the deadline

    Experts think ISRO might struggle to meet the deadline
  • Given the lack of notice, ISRO is now engaged in frantic attempts to recruit astronauts, improve existing technology, and develop new technology to meet the deadline set by Modi.

    ISRO has also partnered with French space agency, CNES, in a bid to achieve the goal.

    Notably, several experts are of the opinion that ISRO might struggle to meet the deadline, owing to technological limitations.

  • Human spaceflight

    Human spaceflight normally involves long term planning

    Human spaceflight normally involves long term planning
  • It should be noted here that sending a human being to space is by no means a simple task.

    It requires considerable technological prowess, involves a massive amount of risk and, everything said and done, should ideally be a well-thought-out, calculated, long-term plan.

    Considering the difficulties and complications associated with such a mission, keeping ISRO in the dark could hardly have helped.

  • Current status

    Rs. 10,000cr has been earmarked, but is it worth it?

    Rs. 10,000cr has been earmarked, but is it worth it?
  • As things currently stand, Rs. 10,000cr has been earmarked for the mission, and ISRO claims to already have some of the technology that would be required to achieve the feat.

    Yet, the remaining requisite technological upgradation, as well as astronaut training will require ISRO to exert considerable efforts, and work with other institutes, both Indian and foreign.

    Are all the efforts worth it?

  • Importance?

    Is a manned spaceflight that important for India?

    Is a manned spaceflight that important for India?
  • India's space program, while robust, is still young, and has largely focused on satellite launches to aid in India's developmental and defense needs.

    Of course, ISRO has launched missions of significant scientific value too, like the Mangalayaan and the Chandrayaan-1 missions.

    But, a manned spaceflight in low-earth orbit, while being an important step for any space program, is neither groundbreaking, nor of developmental import.

  • Political context

    The manned spaceflight program fits snugly into the BJP's narrative

    The manned spaceflight program fits snugly into the BJP's narrative
  • Given this reality, political context is important.

    Space has long held an aspirational value, and often features on top of a nation's technological accomplishments.

    Modi has already touted ISRO's achievements in the past, and while the manned spaceflight program, in terms of utility, might be vain, it snugly fits into the BJP's 'India ascending under our regime' narrative ahead of the 2019 elections.

  • India
  • Narendra Modi
  • Space News
  • Indian Politics
  • India France Relations
  •  
Latest News
  • Leeds United stun Manchester City in Premier League: Records broken
    Leeds United stun Manchester City in Premier League: Records broken
    Sports
  • Nokia 4.2 receives March 2021 security via Android 11 update
    Nokia 4.2 receives March 2021 security via Android 11 update
    Science
  • Samsung to make OLED TVs using LG panels
    Samsung to make OLED TVs using LG panels
    Science
  • 'Ticket to Paradise,' starring Clooney-Roberts, to release next September
    'Ticket to Paradise,' starring Clooney-Roberts, to release next September
    Entertainment
  • KTM RC 390 discontinued from official India website
    KTM RC 390 discontinued from official India website
    Auto
Related Timelines
  • Gaganyaan crewed mission delayed; Will miss 75th Independence-Day deadline
    Gaganyaan crewed mission delayed; Will miss 75th Independence-Day deadline
    Science
Trending Topics
ISRO Vaccine
Next News Article
Share
Cancel

Want to share it with your friends too?

Facebook Whatsapp Twitter Linkedin
Copied

Love India news?

Subscribe to stay updated.

India Thumbnail
India News Business News World News Politics News Sports News Science News Entertainment News Auto News Lifestyle News Inspirational News
Career News Bengaluru News Delhi News Mumbai News Bharti Airtel Mukesh Ambani Indian Premier League Chris Lynn Samsung Virat Kohli
Rohit Sharma Cricket News Mahendra Singh Dhoni YouTube Hollywood News WhatsApp Bollywood News Real Madrid ISRO Yoga
Honda Batman Football News BMW Vaccine Reliance Jio OPPO Food News, Healthy Recipes Apple Tesla
Royal Challengers Bangalore Toyota Fashion Tips Amit Shah Mercedes Sidharth Malhotra Isha Ambani India Vs England Cricket OnePlus Mobiles Android TV
Smart TV Marvel Comics Avengers Neha Kakkar
About Us Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Contact Us News Reviews News Archive Topics Archive Find Cricket Statistics
Follow us on
Facebook Twitter Linkedin Youtube
All rights reserved © NewsBytes 2021