Attention Economy


Thursday, August 24, 2023

India's Scientific Ambitions

India’s Frugal Path to Global Clout: Breakthroughs in Space and Beyond
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/24/world/asia/india-chandrayaan-3-moon-landing-space.html
Resources have increased in recent years, and India’s opening up of its space sector for private investment is seen as a new era. But ISRO still operates on an annual budget of only about $1.5 billion. NASA’s budget, for a much larger space program, is nearly $25 billion. India’s is so cost-effective that its spending of about $75 million on a Mars orbiter was less than the $100 million budget of the Hollywood space film “Gravity,” as Mr. Modi proudly has said.
What draws broad support for ISRO’s missions — with Wednesday’s landing welcomed with prayers, music and special screenings in schools across the country — is a culture of humility, teamwork and efficiency. Analysts said that a key to ISRO’s success had been freeing itself more than other institutions from bureaucratic constraints and bloated staffing that comes with state funding.
 
Related:
https://vivekjayakumar.blogspot.com/2023/08/indias-burgeoning-space-industry.html