24 August 2023 : Indian Express
Indian Express
24-August–2023
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1. To the Moon and forward
Context:
- By Landing On the Moon, ISRO has reached a very important milestone which marks the beginning of a new phase involving very different kinds of work related to the exploration of the Moon.
- Such missions could be helpful in answering some of the hows, whats and whys with respect to the surface, atmosphere and what is beneath the surface.
What kind of studies will be undertaken?
- The current round of lunar missions is often seen in terms of resource utilization and extraction. It is a legitimate aspiration, and will possibly become a reality in a few years. But for that to happen, a lot of work needs to be done.
- Let’s suppose we have to dig the surface to get to a resource material. Now, how do we implement that digging without knowing the elemental composition of the surface mineral composition, the strength of the soil, or the power complexities that the digging extraction tool will require?
- It is these kinds of studies that will have to be undertaken. The current studies we are embarking on are the first steps towards achieving this goal.
- China, which has managed to land there already, is carrying out such studies. ISRO will have to join the efforts. Other countries, when they come, would also contribute.
Complexity of the Moon:
- We have been to the Moon several times now but we still do not understand it very well.
- Even the understanding of its formation and evolution is limited. So, over several Moon missions, we would need to make careful measurements of a variety of things.
- We know about the existence of water molecules and presence of some other elements on the moon but we have no idea about their relative abundance or concentrations.
- We know gravity is weak, but we have little idea about electrical or magnetic conductivity, or how temperature changes with the availability of sunlight.
- There is a lot of chemistry, geology and physics to be done on the Moon.
Current scenario:
- Broadly speaking the current round of lunar explorations is a level playing field right now. No country has any great special advantage.
- The experience of having gone to the Moon in the 1960s and 1970s has not given any particular headstart to the US or Russia, the successor state of the Soviet Union.
- This became evident in the failure of Luna-25 as well. Even the US, which has the most successful space programme in the world, is taking cautious steps in returning to the Moon.
- Hence ISRO can participate in this endeavour as an equal.
Collaborative Missions:
- ISRO will probably find itself in an increasing number of collaborative missions. It is already being sought out for such joint endeavours.
- The Artemis programme, the NASA-ISRO NISAR mission, the recently announced joint human spaceflight to the International Space Station with NASA and the joint lunar mission with Japan are just some of the collaborative missions that ISRO is undertaking.
How would the collaborative missions be helpful for ISRO?
- Such missions are a great development.
- Space is not just risky, it is also pretty expensive.
- Joint programmes can be economical, have shorter gestation periods, and higher science outputs.
- Collaborative programmes work only if all the partners have something meaningful to contribute. And the contributions can come only if the partner has capabilities and expertise.
- The Moon landing is very important from this perspective. It demonstrates a key capability and brings meaningful expertise to the table.
How future Space missions could prove to be challenging?
- Space exploration is becoming increasingly strategic.
- Lunar missions might be a level playing field right now but they could become exclusionary soon.
- Countries that are going on the Moon today are expected to create permanent stations in a few years, possibly in a decade or so. Those who try to join later might find it exceedingly difficult to catchup.
- ISRO is at the right place at the right time and must capitalise on this opportunity to build further on its capabilities to take maximum advantage of the situation.
Way Forward:
- There are crucial upcoming missions that will add on to ISRO’s profile as a major spacefaring agency.
- Of these, the missions to the sun or Venus might not evoke the same kind of emotions as the Moon landing, but human spaceflight, both in the Gaganyaan mission and through the joint mission with NASA, is sure to generate a huge amount of excitement.
- Now that Chandrayaan-3 has landed, one can expect to hear about the follow-up missions soon.
- ISRO is going through an important transformation right now, and most of its time in the future is likely to get consumed in planning and executing these kinds of scientific and planetary exploration missions.
- The opening up of the space sector for private players is a welcome and necessary development.
- We are already seeing some enthusiastic players coming up and doing well, though small in number. And it is heartening to see the kind of support and encouragement they are receiving from ISRO.
- Together, they can build a strong space ecosystem, complementing each other’s strengths. These are surely exciting times for the space sector in India.
2. A Time for Africa
Context:
- Under its presidency of the G20, India has made a historic leap, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly vocalizing the need for the membership of the African Union to the group.
- Aligned with the Government of India’s vision for heightened inclusion and participation in the Global South, a Business20 (B20) Action Council, ‘African Economic Integration: An Agenda for Global Business’, was established this year.
Significance of Africa:
- Africa is home to 30 per cent of the global mineral reserves, 12 per cent of the world’s oil and 8 percent of its natural gas.
- It will account for over half of the world’s projected population growth of 1.7 billion people in 2050, comprising a young workforce, a growing consumer base and rising disposable incomes.
- Global businesses would do well to recognise, support and leverage such benefits in the course of unlocking robust value chains.
- For decades now, Africa has been characterized as the world’s “final frontier” for business. As experts introspect on existing global trade practices, perceptions of Africa as a valuable market for investments need to widen still.
- We must look to the region as a contributor to a more inclusive and stable international economic order.
- Encouraging investments in Africa is no longer a question of expanding businesses alone, but of diversifying supply and value chains to create an assured and relatively shockproof international economy.
- An indisputable component of this is the regional economic integration of the African continent.
Africa’s Uncapped Potential:
- Translating Africa’s vast potential into gains implies a coordinated effort from the global community, including governments, businesses and civil society.
- At present, Africa contributes less than 3 percent of the total share of global manufacturing and trade.
- Thirty-three of the world’s 46 least developed countries lie in the continent, many of which are landlocked.
What are the key priorities to catalyse Africa’s economic integration?
- First, human capital outcomes across health and education need to be strengthened.
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- Like India, Africa’s population represents an enviable demographic dividend, underscoring the pivotal role that the African youth will assume in its economy in the years to come.
- Capturing these capabilities requires sharp focus on enhancing healthcare and education outcomes.
- The African Development Bank states that funds to the tune of $26 billion are required yearly to sustain health care expenditure in the continent.
- As per the World Bank, each additional year of schooling is estimated to accrue an 11 percent increase in earnings for boys and 14 percent for girls.
- An integrated economic structure would offer pooling of resources, knowledge sharing and frugal transfer of innovative education and healthcare techniques.
- Second, invigorating agriculture and food systems assumes significance, particularly given that about 70 per cent of the African population is employed in the agrarian sector.
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- Farming in the region is characterized by small and subsistence landholdings.
- The gap in the availability of finance and key inputs such as fertilisers and seeds leads to low productivity. Moreover, value addition stands at low levels and most agri products are exported without being processed.
- There is a need to train and educate farmers and increase mechanisation, along with the introduction of sustainable value-added businesses in the sector. Combined with better access to inputs and credit lines, the interventions can yield impressive results in Africa.
- Three, like all emerging economies, African nations must supplement resource based activity with industrial activities that facilitate higher productivity.
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- Empowerment of micro, small and medium enterprises through better access to finance and improvements in access to electricity is a corollary to this goal.
- This, can be achieved over time through easier intra-continental trade, policy harmonisation and harnessing natural endowments in renewable energy.
- The African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) represents a landmark initiative that was realised through trade facilitation measures.
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- AfCFTA, when fully implemented, will increase the competitiveness of economies across the continent, boost integration with global value chains, and attract investments.
- Trade facilitation must be accelerated through technology and implementation support from G20nations.
Way Forward:
- Putting these recommendations into action requires a solid logistical foundation.
- The construction of roads, railways and air links to connect the vast expanse of the continent must be stepped up with enhanced private investments.
- Attractive financing models, policy uniformity and regulatory certainty will only lend strength to a foundational digital economy — cutting across formal and informal sectors, offering new avenues of growth and employment.
- The socio-economic payoff from increased African participation in the world economy cannot be overstated. Amidst a rapidly changing geo-economic order, India’s focus on Africa is timely.
- In the larger scheme of things, India and Africa represent a past that is the veritable history of civilisation, and indeed, the history of economic relations.
- Today, the regions have metamorphosed into a reality where India stands as one of the world’s fastest-growing, large economies, while Africa is being increasingly highlighted as an engine for equitable and sustainable growth.
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