UK and India

[Sparta447]

http://www.moondaily.com/reports/UK_Moon_Camera_Ready_For_Blast_Off_999.html The UK has built a camara for India first lunar mission. Hopefully we can work with our Commonwealth friend more in other space projects.

 

[JonClarke]

<p>The UK taking a higher profile in space and the Indian progream is most exciting.&nbsp; People talk about China as the new economic superpower but forget that India is not that far behind.</p><p>Jon</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars</em>  Arthur Clarke</p> </div>

 

[asj2006]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>The UK taking a higher profile in space and the Indian progream is most exciting.&nbsp; People talk about China as the new economic superpower but forget that India is not that far behind.Jon <br /> Posted by jonclarke</DIV></p><p>I gotta disagree with that. India's economy (especially the IT industry) has been recently very robust, but I've been to India with some Indian classmates and the poverty there is sickening. The problem is that unlike China, which had emphasized manufacturing as the main economic engine, India went the IT/service route, which means you have a thin veneer of highly-educated, relatively well-off people covering a huge mass of mainly illiterate, poverty-stricken population. </p><p>That being said, India HAS to continue to expand its space program as that has benefits that may later be invaluable to the development of the nation in the high tech arena, and perhaps to the nation as a whole. </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp; </p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p>------------------------------------------- </p><p>"Breathe. This is like most of the choices you have in life. <br />You know inside whether it's right. <br />Whether you do it is up to you." </p><p>From the Tao of Willie Nelson</p> </div>

 

[JonClarke]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>I gotta disagree with that. India's economy (especially the IT industry) has been recently very robust, but I've been to India with some Indian classmates and the poverty there is sickening. The problem is that unlike China, which had emphasized manufacturing as the main economic engine, India went the IT/service route, which means you have a thin veneer of highly-educated, relatively well-off people covering a huge mass of mainly illiterate, poverty-stricken population. That being said, India HAS to continue to expand its space program as that has benefits that may later be invaluable to the development of the nation in the high tech arena, and perhaps to the nation as a whole. &nbsp;&nbsp; <br />Posted by asj2006</DIV></p><p>Of course there is a huge gap between rich and poor in India, and some appalling social issues.&nbsp; India is a very different society to China and the social challenges are very different</p><p>However significant strides have been made to address these over the past 50 years and ral progress is being made.&nbsp; India has invested heavily in a wide range of high tech industries, as well as more traditional&nbsp;industries and in expanding agricultural production with the result it is now not only self suffcient but&nbsp;a major food exporter.&nbsp; It has substantial aerospace, nuclear and, as you mention, IT sectors,&nbsp; India is also investing heavily in infrastructure development.</p><p>In terms of nominal GPD India calls just behind Russia.&nbsp; In terms of PPP GDP india is ahead of Germany.&nbsp; In both cases production is about a third that of China. The economy has been growing at a very respectable 9%.&nbsp; Like China's growth, a significant fraction of this has been driven by internal development so it will be relatively insulated against the current global&nbsp;financial crisis.&nbsp; india has also invested havily overseas as well, especially in resources and manufacturing.</p><p>India is well behind China but, should by, mid century be well on the way to being the second or third largest single nation economy.</p><p>Jon</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars</em>  Arthur Clarke</p> </div>