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Melvin's blog
Nshima & Curry
Melvin's Blog
Nshima & Curry
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LUNAR TRIP SEEMS LIKE LUNACY
Indian space scientists believe they can reach the moon by
2007, an achievement that would trigger the type of
raucous celebration that greeted the 1998 nuclear tests.
Millions of people would be in sheer ecstacy, especially if
India gets to the moon before Pakistan.
Never mind that India's mission would trail America's by
almost 40 years. Never mind that Russia and Japan have
already had lunar missions. What matters is that India would
be the first South Asian country to reach the moon and
Pakistan would not.
Pakistan's President Musharraf, loath to play second fiddle,
has undoubtedly given his astronauts a motivational speech:
"If you get to the moon last, we'll get to you fast."
India's lunar probe would probably be unmanned -- and
perhaps that's a good thing. Who knows what would
happen if an Indian landed on the moon at the same time as a
Pakistani?
Television announcer: "What a historic day this has been. In
the morning, we had the first moon landing by India; in the
afternoon, we had the first moon landing by Pakistan; and in
the evening, we had the first moon assault."
An unmanned probe might prevent the moon's first crime, but
it would also be a missed opportunity to reward a few people
with a space trip. I can think of several Indians who
deserve to be sent to the moon, including Narendra Modi and
Jayalalitha. That way, even if the probe doesn't return to
earth, the mission would be successful.
Though India's space program was formed only in 1972, it has
boasted a series of remarkable achievements, earning kudos
from around the world. A brief history:
1975: As Indira Gandhi cheers, India's first rocket,
carrying three astronauts, travels from a launch pad outside
Delhi into a nearby coconut tree. The astronauts return to
earth after four days.
1987: Rajiv Gandhi watches proudly as India's second rocket,
carrying five astronauts, reaches the top of a 10-story
building. The astronauts are rewarded with apartments in the
building.
1992: India launches its first satellite, enabling millions
of people around the world to enjoy Bollywood movies. In
Siberia and other frigid parts of Russia, Bollywood soon
becomes more popular than firewood.
2000: An Indian man becomes the first astronaut to land on
Venus, when he jumps on her at Wimbledon. Fortunately, the
tennis champion is unhurt.
2001: An Indian woman almost reaches Pluto, but is thwarted
by security officers at Disney World. Noticing a trend, the
FBI sends a warning to all Americans who drive Saturns.
The next logical step for India's space program is a moon
expedition. But the trip would cost about $82.5 million,
raising questions about its worthiness, given India's
widespread poverty. After all, the government could replace
one trip to the moon with about 20 million trips to
McDonald's.
Even better, the government could finance numerous
educational projects to benefit children. Instead of people
saying, "We went to the moon," they could say, "We went to
school."
Now that's something to be proud of.
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