The U.S. government sends astronauts, scientists and researchers back and forth to the International Space Station (ISS), 400km above the earth. Two contracts were awarded for fulfil this need — one to Boeing for $4.3 billion and to SpaceX for $2.1 billion.
SpaceX has since successfully completed 40 return trip missions. Boeing got there only once, and they couldn’t get their guys back. SpaceX had to go and rescue them.
India’s hot space
It now costs NASA $528m to launch a space ship the moon. India has done it for $74m.
That’s half the cost of the Russian mission (which crashed), and $100m less than Hollywood spent on the film Gravity.
India’s low-cost space missions, like its Chandrayaan-3 lunar mission, are a result of several strategic choices and innovative practices adopted by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
How did India do it?
1. Simplified design: ISRO focuses on ‘value engineering’— designing simpler, cost-effective spacecraft and systems without compromising functionality. And instead of creating cutting-edge, expensive systems, ISRO uses proven technologies and adapts them innovatively to meet mission needs.
2. Lower labour costs: India benefits from a highly skilled yet comparatively low-cost workforce, significantly reducing operational and development expenses compared to space agencies like NASA or the European Space Agency.
3. Indigenous manufacturing: Most components, from satellites to launch vehicles, are developed domestically, avoiding the high costs of importing technology or outsourcing manufacturing.
4. No margins for perfectionism: ISRO prioritizes practical, ‘good-enough’ solutions rather than aiming for perfection. For example, Chandrayaan-3 used relatively lower-resolution imaging systems compared to NASA.
5. International Revenue: ISRO generates revenue by launching satellites for other countries. This offsets its operational costs and sustains its budget.
By maintaining a ‘low-cost, high-value’ philosophy, ISRO has proven that space exploration doesn’t always require massive budgets to achieve great results.
Innovation
Space exploration may seem as a luxury pursuit, or a wasteful diversion. But ever since the advent if the space age, from the 1950s and 1960s, many of its discoveries have spread to our daily lives. Some intentionally and some accidentally.
Here are some inventions and practical applications stemming from the U.S. space programme.
Silicon lining for heat resistance
This was developed for spacecraft heat shields. This technology is now used in firefighting gear, saving countless lives. Other uses include industrial welding gloves, and heat-shields for racing cars and high-performance vehicles.
Integrated circuits (ICs)
Miniaturisation of electronics for spacecraft paved the way for integrated circuits as the foundation of modern computers and consumer electronics, such as smartphones and wearable devices, as well as automated machinery in factories.
Memory foam
Originally developed to improve cushioning and crash protection in spacecraft seats, this is now used in mattresses, pillows, prosthetic limb cushioning, and shock-absorbing helmets.
Satellite technology
Communication, weather forecasting, and Global Positioning Systems stemmed from advancements in satellite deployment and tracking. This is now routinely used in disaster management through Earth observation satellites. Modern precision agriculture uses satellite imagery for optimal crop hydration and harvesting to optimise seed yields.
Cordless tools
Created for use in zero gravity, cordless power tools are now common household and industrial use. We have seen tremendous developments in robotic vacuum cleaners, and surgical drills for medical procedures.
Water filtration systems
Originally developed for astronauts, these systems are now applied to portable water purifiers, for emergency disaster relief water purification kits, and in desalination plants to provide clean water from seawater.
Scratch-resistant lenses
Coatings developed for space helmet visors are now used in glasses and sunglasses, as protective layers for smartphone screens, and in car headlights.
Freeze-dried food
Invented to preserve food for long-duration missions, freeze-dried technology is used in camping, emergency food supplies, and military ration packs.
Fire-resistant fabrics
NASA’s need for fireproof materials led to protective clothing and flame-retardant furniture upholstery, as well as fireproof curtains for theatres and public spaces.
Insulating materials
Lightweight, high-performance insulation for spacecraft is now used in building construction and packaging, as thermal insulation in refrigerators and freezers, and as high-efficiency packaging for vaccines during their transportation
Infrared thermometers
Originally designed for remote temperature sensing of spacecraft, these are now widely used in medicine and industry, and for contactless temperature screening in airports.
LED technology
Developed for spacecraft instrument panels, LEDs are now integral to lighting and display technology. They have been developed for horticultural lighting for indoor farming, and for traffic signals and automotive headlights.
Solar Panels
Pioneered for spacecraft energy systems, solar panel technology is now ubiquitous in renewable energy solutions.
Advanced ceramics
High performance and extreme-heat resistant materials designed for re-entry vehicles are used in dental braces, electronics, automotive break components, heat resistant tiles in aerospace and aviation, and for medical implants like artificial hips and joints.
These innovations highlight the profound impact of space programme investments on everyday life and commercial technology.
The exponential benefits of unintended consequences.
