Should such enormous amounts of money be spent on such space missions which do not affect a common man?

Not even a single reply yet to this GD topic???? :( :dry: :huh: :unsure: :(

Friends, pleae honestly let me know if this topic is irrelevant or there can be no discussion on this and I will change the topic!!

Scientific research cannot be always evaluated in terms of direct cost/ revenue analysis. In fact, Scientific research, especially fundamental research is for gaining knowledge. Many benefits of the research are realized long after.

Space Research is not beneficial to mankind directly. The inventions of useful things are also based on the fundamental research that was carried out initially for pure knowledge. Let us refer to James Watt discovery of power of steam. He had not in his mind that his invention could result in steam engines that would revolutionize the travel.

The expenditure on space research cannot be considered as waste. This is for human knowledge and will ultimately prove beneficial. benefits may not accrue directly at this stage. However, the international community should pool resources and conduct research jointly so as to reduce cost of research. Also, the expenditure should be kept at reasonable limit commensurate with national income and resources.

Kalyani Nandurkar wrote:
[quote]Not even a single reply yet to this GD topic???? :( :dry: :huh: :unsure: :(

Friends, please honestly let me know if this topic is irrelevant or there can be no discussion on this and I will change the topic!! [/quote]

I have just seen this as I was busy with my professional work. I have immediately posted my comments. The topic is a bit uncommon and many may not be interested. I also need to get inputs from Google search engine. I shall write more posts shortly after equipping myself with relevant information and pros and cons on the matter.

I request do not change the topic. The site has the slogan: Information creates wealth. so, let every one work hard to gather information even on difficult topic and discuss.

Gulshan wrote:
[quote]I have just seen this as I was busy with my professional work. I have immediately posted my comments. The topic is a bit uncommon and many may not be interested. I also need to get inputs from Google search engine. I shall write more posts shortly after equipping myself with relevant information and pros and cons on the matter.

I request do not change the topic. The site has the slogan: Information creates wealth. so, let every one work hard to gather information even on difficult topic and discuss. [/quote]

Thanks for your support Gulshan! While posting this topic that was exactly what I thought of, some little extra work on the participants' part and something different rather than the usual social issues! I only hope that there is a good discussion on this one!

@Kalyani

I don't see the need for any such change.Rather the toptc is very imaginative and relevant to our current social scenario! As I would be out of station for a few days,I may not be able to be regular with my post but I would surely try to contribute.

I agree with what Gulshan told here.The expenditure on space reasearch is not a waste at all.

India has been launching space vehicles for a long.We had gained many lessons from each launching.Some of the failed and we analysed the failure reasons.From this we got energy and later succeded in many missions.

Now our Chandrayan had detected presence of water in Moon.Eventhough man landed in moon in 1969 the water particle was discovered only in 2009.So it had made us to reach a conclusion that moon may be a place for residence in future.So the huge amount spend on this became fruitful.

Space research program is capital intensive. Opposition to this is short sightedness. The benefits from the research cannot be obtained instantly. There are even some industrial projects with long gestation period but these are undertaken. Similarly, space research is long term project. This always gos on and fruits of such research are not immediately visible but these are sure in long run. Some benefits may be reaped by future generations. We are also reaping benefits of our forefathers' efforts.

There are more than 1500 products that owe their existence to space research. rain water purification scheme is one. Satellite radio/ TV, digital TV, cell phones, GPS navigation, digital hearing aids, miniature heart pumps and many other products are derived from space research.

I again reiterate that various agencies should pool their resources and economize. But the program cannot be abandoned.

Funding space is good than rather than keeping money in hands of corrupt politicians

space & its exploration is infact great concept for all thoe who has imagination or dream.so topic is relevant.

as per my friends views that budget need to be allocated is eye opener for number of scams like LIC,2G going & occuring time & agains

I do agree with all that The expenditure on space reasearch is not a waste at all. infact it is said that ffor future we are thinking ahead & locking money on better prospects is good rather than keeping money in hands of corrupt politicians

I think that space missions are very much important to human mankind. New things on other planets could explored and thats widens our knowledge. We need to know whats happening in other planets and this knowledge will give us the possibilites to save us planet better. As far as money is concerned, well! if you are exploring another planet which is most important, money shouldn't matter and thats what every country's governmnt is thinking. I believe that india is spending less money on space comparatively than other country and thats good for our country.

I think that space missions are very much important to human mankind. New things on other planets could explored and thats widens our knowledge. We need to know whats happening in other planets and this knowledge will give us the possibilites to save us planet better. As far as money is concerned, well! if you are exploring another planet which is most important, money shouldn't matter and thats what every country's governmnt is thinking. I believe that india is spending less money on space comparatively than other country and thats good for our country.

Thinking beyond our planet is much necessary for our planet. More we explore beyond the planet, more we could save our planet better.I believe that we have enough money to do the space exploration and also can keep our planet better,if we make use of our money in proper way. Moderate use of money should be done in space missions, but you can't avoid space missions. Going beyond at another height gives us opportunity to solve our solutions.Whether exploration is done in global communication, GPS,weather prediction and many more, all are important. We can't skip these things.

There appears near unanimity about significance of space research. Although the total cost is apparently very high, this is really not so alarming in view of its long term benefits. Space research program should be considered as capital expenditure giving benefit to humanity in future centuries. Compare it to an individual expenditure. Huge money spent on buying a house is akin to space research whereas spending on a cup of coffee is normal day to day expense.

The total expenditure by NASA on space research is just 1% of total discretionary expense and hence not unreasonable. In this connection, following link is relevant:

http://useconomy.about.com/od/usfederalbudget/p/nasa_budget_cost.htm

I apologize for posting same content twice.

Space missions do work well also with moderate use of money. But, as far if money is problem,then i believe that world has 60 trillion/year economy and if we use hundred or million times more money then too, we won't face problem of povery,hunger etc like problems. So, instead of putting a issues of money we should see the advantages of space missions and should support the space missions. Although,these space missions will help us in future,we should support these missions for the betterment of our planet.

A report by space foundation U.S.A. indicates that space program is not only expensive but also contributes to the economy. Many industries benefit fro space technology and research. Space related activities contributed 180 Billion dollar to the economy. The companies related to space program contributed 60% of the economy. It is claimed that every dollar spent on space contributes 10 dollar revenue. Thus space program is not a waste but makes positive contribution to economy. For greater details the link provided in my earlier post refers.

"RACE OF SPACE EPLORATION"

It is claimed that every dollar spent on space contributes 10 dollar revenue as per my colleague views but think that lot of scam & corruption & in country of farming with so many hungry people ,i sometimes feel that it is utmost importance raise the standard of SC/nt/LOWER INCOME GROUP .

as not thinking for them keeping money for space exploration space contributes 10 dollar revenue like is that starving underprivileged like what is depicted in slumdog film & making effort in scientific sector is truly in human & if we are All emotional human race then let us all unite for upliftment of BACKWARD week sections like bihar , & slowly & steadily we can catch up "RACE OF SPACE EPLORATION"

Friends,

The moment I had a look at the title of the topic of theis week's GD I felt it just articulated the misgivings and doubts in the minds of millions of people of all over the word over the wisdom of spending tons of money on our space research programmes and its direct linkage in uplifting the well-being of the submerged sections which account for a huge and ugly number in India.But then India is land of paradoxes! If half of the populace of the financial capital lives in slums and shanties the same city captures the attention of the world media for recording the feat of an industrial magnet whose mind is least disturbed and whose conscience is least pricked to spend a whopping and mind-boggling sum of Rs 5000 crore to build his futuristic house!Hence we need to address this question with all rational parameters and angles.That's surely an intellectually rigorous exercise.We have to undertake a social cost-benefit anlysis.We have to recognize the eternal nature of human spirit to break into fresh areas of knowledge and information and relate it to our overall human development.

I hope to deal with other relevant aspects in my next posts.

thks chinmoymukherjee for raising my point that we need to address this question with all rational parameters and angles.

actually who cares for space when you can't fulfill basic amenities of food cloth ,shelter.we say daily 100-1000 dies simply because they don't have basic amenities of food cloth ,shelter & political parties are busy making scams & speeches of SPACE EPLORATION .
i had seen an news in which a child was tied in leg by his mentally ill mom & he was crying ,yelling like anything to get food which was so near & so far

i can say underprivelidge india is need to be consider before funding SPACE EPLORATION as you may never know if india time is bad what especially poor people would do

@Sumit

It's true that it is one of the aspects that would continue to agitate any rational mind.Having said that we need to awaken ourselves to many of the positives which have emerged as a result of tangible success achieved by our space scientists and technologists which can significantly contribute to the overall well-being of the vast numbers of our populace.It goes to the wisdom of our late Prime Minister and venerable space scientist late Vikram Sarabhai whose vision and dedicated efforts laid the foundation of our space research programmes.

Now the question which is very material and relevant,is whatever spending has been done on it if the results are worth.Similarly the question can be asked if this spending if not incurred would automatically translate into social sector spending.Basically what India confronts today is lack of good governance and this is a very fundamental lacunae and any amount of money can not solve the basic problems of a vast majority of Indians unless corruption is rooted out form our society.A cursory glance at the size of our plan expenditure over the decades would show that these thousands of crores originally meant,allocated and sanctioned for various social sectors actually pocketed by a rentier section aided and abetted by a thoroughly corrupt political system.So those who delude themselves with the thoughts that expenditure incurred or investments made in terms of maney could have been better utilized for uplifting our socially and economically disadvantaged sections,I am surely not one of them.

In my next post I would deal with the role and achievements of our space scientistas and technologists and their siginificance in the context our overall development.

Two more days to go! The topic closes for discussion tomorrow night!!