India’s recent triumph with Chandrayaan-3 ‘s successful mission to the Moon’s South Pole has captivated the world’s attention. Notably, the mission’s cost-effectiveness, achieved at 74.58 million dollars, has drawn global praise.
Atoba Longkumer, the founder of Nagaland’s first software as a service (SaaS) technology company Tabernacle, expressed amazement, comparing the budget to that of some movies.
“The fact that they could accomplish this at around 73-74 million dollars, which is much cheaper than the cost of some movies, is significant,” Atoba Longkumer, founder of Tabernacle, shared his excitement with Mokokchung Times.
According to Longkumer, Chandrayaan-3’s landing in the previously untouched southern hemisphere of the Moon has left a mark in history. As no nation had achieved this before, the accomplishment stands as a remarkable testament to India’s scientific prowess and innovation.
Beyond the confines of the scientific community, the success of Chandrayaan-3 resonates as a source of inspiration for the entire nation. Prasurjya P Pathak, a Physics teacher from Assam, lauds the achievement as a beacon for India’s potential in scientific advancement. The accomplishment showcases India’s capability to achieve remarkable feats on a modest budget compared to developed nations, according to the teacher.
“In terms of geopolitical influence, this achievement places India in the elite group of nations that have successfully landed spacecraft on the surface of the moon. It shows that India can be a leader in the 21st Century’s space race, leading humanity into the frontier of space research and exploration,” said Pathak to Mokokchung Times.
According to Victoria Samson, the Washington Office Director of the Secure World Foundation, India’s approach to space endeavors, characterized by longer timelines and cost-effectiveness, reflects its aspirations. Additionally, the recent opening up of the space industry to private players indicates that India aims to emerge as a major player in the global space arena. Therefore, while focusing on affordability, India also aims to assert itself as a significant presence in the realm of space exploration.
Modern Space Race: From competition to commerce and military
The evolution of the space race from the 1950s-1970s to today has transformed the dynamics. Formerly marked by competitive demonstrations of technological prowess between the US and the Soviet Union after the Second World War, according to author and journalist, Timothy Marshall, today’s space race is different because unlike the past, it is fueled by commercial interests and military considerations.
A new era of the space race has emerged, driven not only by prestige but by commerce and industry, Marshall told DW, the German international broadcaster.
Strategic points of control in space
Experts delineate three distinct orbital zones that hold paramount significance. These encompass the Low Earth Orbit (LEO), the Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), and the Geostationary Orbit.
The Low Earth Orbit, spanning an altitude of approximately 160 km to 2000 km, emerges as a pivotal domain utilized for diverse applications, including surveillance satellites for high-resolution imagery and high-speed internet provision.
The Medium Earth Orbit (2000 km to 35,786 km) is used for providing precise positioning data of large portions of Earth. It is within this range that the US has placed its GPS, Russia its GLONASS, and the EU its Galileo.
The Geostationary Orbit (35,786 km above Earth’s surface) is the orbit where a satellite moves at exactly the same rate as the Earth rotates. Therefore, satellites in this orbit can monitor a specific location on Earth for an extended period.
Experts have also unveiled the importance of Lagrange Points, which are specific gravitational equilibrium locations in space. Notably, there are five such points denoted as L1, L2, L3, L4, and L5. While L1 proves invaluable for real-time solar data and is therefore used in solar grids, among other applications, L2 takes on the role of housing astronomical satellites. The lesser-explored L3, L4, and L5, experts suggest, could serve as advantageous vantage points for observing outer space.
Moon and its importance
Presently, the spotlight of the space race has gravitated towards the Moon. This compelling endeavor engages not only India but also prominent contenders such as Japan, Russia, China, and the United States. The Moon’s remarkable significance rests upon three vital resources which the experts deem of immense value.
Water Ice: Of paramount importance is the presence of water ice on the Moon’s surface. This substance can be dissociated into hydrogen and oxygen, forming a crucial resource for rocket fuel.
Frank de Winnie, leader of the LEO exploration group at the European Space Agency (ESA), asserts that this breakthrough opens new avenues for space travel propulsion.
Helium-3: Another game-changing revelation is the Moon’s abundance of Helium-3. This resource, utilized in cryogenics, quantum computing, and fusion energy, has caught the attention of the global scientific community. It is deemed a potential cornerstone for future energy paradigms.
Rare Earth Elements: Significantly, the Moon also houses rare earth elements. NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine has once said that harvesting rare-earth metals from the surface of the moon is one example of how companies can profit from space exploration.
Who is launching missions to the Moon?
Following Russia and India, the private spacecraft engineering company SpaceX is gearing up for a significant lunar journey in late 2023, taking Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa and eight others around the Moon on its first Starship mission. In 2024, NASA’s Artemis II will orbit the Moon, with Artemis III planned for 2025 or 2026, aiming to land the first woman and person of color on the Moon using SpaceX’s Starship. China and Russia are jointly planning a lunar base by 2025, though no timeline is set.
