What the success of Gaganyaan could mean for Indian science

Benefits of Gaganyaan mission:

• Demonstrates India’s human spaceflight capability.
• Active participation in space exploration ensures access to rights, resources, and new technologies.
• Aims to gain control over critical technologies for future economic growth.
• Space programs generate spin-off technologies benefiting sectors like health and medicine.
• Fosters a robust science and technology ecosystem.
• Indigenization push focuses on domestic manufacture in strategic sectors like defense, space, communication, and energy.

Government steps to promote science

• Missions focussing on green hydrogen, quantum computing, and artificial intelligence.
• India participates in international projects like LIGO and Square Kilometer Array.
• New scheme promoting deep-tech capabilities in the defense sector.
• Calls for foreign companies to establish manufacturing facilities for chips and semiconductors.

The way ahead:

• Scientists stress structural reforms to enhance India’s science output.
• Sustained attention needed to maintain momentum in science initiatives.
• Addressing basic issues in science education and research crucial for significant improvement.

Source: Indian Express