Why it Costs India so Little to Reach The Moon and Mars

Space exploration often comes with high astronomical price tags, but India has emerged as a unique pioneer. India has managed to achieve remarkable feats in space exploration at a fraction of the cost of other nations.

The country's recent announcement of it's ambitious space projects, that is backed by a historic 227 billion rupee ($2.7 billion) investment, has once again brought attention to their incredibly cost-effective approach to reaching the stars.

Breaking Down the Numbers

The figures are startling. India's successful Chandrayaan-3 Moon mission cost just $75 million, while its Mars orbiter Mangalyaan came in at $74 million.

To put this in perspective, these missions cost less than making the Hollywood movie "Gravity" ($100 million). Compare this to NASA's Maven orbiter at $582 million or Russia's ill-fated Luna-25 at $133 million, and the difference becomes clear.

What makes India's space program so cost-effective? The answer lies in a combination of historical necessity, innovative thinking, and practical approaches. Sisir Kumar Das, a retired civil servant who managed ISRO's finances for over two decades, traces this frugality back to the 1960s when India was still finding its feet as an independent nation.

When ISRO's founder Vikram Sarabhai first proposed a space program, India was struggling with basic necessities like food security and healthcare.

The program had to justify its existence by promising practical benefits for ordinary citizens. This foundation of practical necessity has shaped ISRO's approach ever since.

Home-Grown Technology: India's Key to Cost Control

One of the primary reasons for ISRO's cost-effectiveness is its reliance on home-grown technology. When Western nations imposed technology transfer restrictions on India after it's 1974 nuclear test, ISRO turned this challenge into an opportunity. They developed their own technology and manufactured equipment locally, significantly reducing costs in the process.

ISRO's approach to human resources also plays a crucial role. Unlike NASA, which often outsources to private companies, ISRO maintains smaller, dedicated teams.

Mylswamy Annadurai led India's first Moon and Mars missions, he reveals that teams often worked extended hours without overtime pay, driven by passion rather than profit.

Innovative Problem-Solving

Budget constraints have often led to creative solutions. For instance, during Chandrayaan-1, when they needed to add a Moon impact probe. Instead of using a more expensive rocket, they reduced the number of thrusters and batteries to maintain the weight limit.

However, this frugality comes with certain compromises. India's current rockets are smaller and less powerful than those used by other space agencies. This means Indian spacecraft take longer to reach their destinations, using Earth's gravity to slingshot them toward their targets; a longer but more economical approach. Judging by their financial situation then, it was a smart move.

Looking to the Future

India now sets its sights on more ambitious projects, like plans for a manned Moon mission by 2040. But the costs are likely to increase. The development of the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) and the opening of the space sector to private players will likely push expenses higher.

Despite these changes, India's space program remains a remarkable example of how innovation and resourcefulness can achieve extraordinary results without extraordinary spending. As science writer Pallava Bagla notes, it's "an amazing feat" that has captured the world's attention and imagination.

Other space agencies might spend more, but India's approach proves that sometimes, the most impressive achievements come not from having the biggest budget, but from making the most of what you have. A lesson they've learnt a long time ago.