The planet Mars is in the news again. Three missions are expected to be Mars-bound during 2020. Typically, it takes between six to nine months to reach Mars from Earth. The minimum distance from the Earth to Mars is about 54.6 million km. Mars launch windows are available only after a gap of 26 months and the present launch window is open till the third week of August.
India’s story of growth is directly related to the development of technology. If Modi 2.0 is keen to find long-term solutions to ensure growth, then it has no option than to make investments in technologies. One important area of technology where much is expected from Mr Modi is the outer space. He has raised much expectation since his first term as he took a keen interest in the activities of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
The 21st century is rapidly developing in various East and Southeast Asian parts. The developing states in the region are struggling to maintain a balance between their social obligations and economic reforms. They believe that technology could act as a catalyst for the successful implementation of their development strategies. During the last few years, the Vietnamese government has invested significant resources in developing its science and technology base, keeping in mind its long-term interests. Space technology is one such area identified by the Vietnamese government.
Chandrayan-1 has created history. It has proved instrumental towards finding water on the surface of the moon. The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has proved its competence once again, but this time, it should also thank its stars, and this is not because there is something amiss with its capabilities but because of the lack of maturity shown by some segments of society earlier when Chandrayan-1 had permanently lost its contact with the earth.
Apart from its nuclear bravado, Iran is simultaneously exploring new grounds up above in the sky for expanding military influence, and that is space. In early February this year, Iran fired a sounding rocket into outer space to mark the opening of its first space centre. Such rockets are usually instrument-carrying crafts designed to take measurements and perform scientific experiments during their sub-orbital flight. Iran also proposes to move further by launching their first home-produced satellite, "Omid" (Hope), in March 2009.