Advanced Technology And Prosperous Economy

Advanced Technology and Prosperous Economies

India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission exemplifies how advanced technology can propel economic prosperity through cost-effective innovation. Launched at a modest budget of $75 million—compared to Russia’s Luna-25 at $200 million—the mission achieved a historic soft landing near the Moon’s south pole on August 23, 2023. This success not only underscores India’s emergence as a formidable player in the global space sector but also highlights the potential for heterodox approaches in resource-constrained environments.

ISRO Chairman S. Somanath revealed that U.S. experts from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), after reviewing Chandrayaan-3’s development, expressed interest in acquiring India’s space technology. They commented on the affordability and sophistication of the instruments, asking how they were built and suggesting selling them to the U.S. This interaction reflects a shifting paradigm where emerging economies like India are no longer mere recipients but exporters of cutting-edge solutions.

The mission’s 40-day trajectory, utilizing slingshot maneuvers with less powerful rockets, demonstrates ingenuity in overcoming limitations. As Somanath emphasized, India’s knowledge and intelligence level is among the best in the world. Congratulations poured in from NASA, ESA, and China, signaling India’s ascendance.

In the Global Nexus framework, such advancements reinforce the interdependence of technology and economic vitality, positioning nations like India to influence global decisions through innovation.