India launched a satellite into Mars orbit

Countries with significant human and resource potential have long been involved in the "space race". Only a few decades ago, only the USSR and the USA participated in this race. Now, apart from the United States and Russia, India and China have joined the race, countries trying to dominate their region. In general, there is nothing wrong with such rivalry, provided that all this will lead to positive results in terms of research on near-Earth space, the planets of the solar system and others. So, today launched the orbital Mars satellite Mangalyaan, created by a team of Indian specialists.

10 months after launch, if everything goes well, the satellite will reach Mars, and will begin to circle around the Red Planet in a stationary orbit. The launch goal, according to the official version of India, is mapping the surface of Mars, studying climatic conditions, and also finding traces of methane, and determining its concentration in the atmosphere. The unofficial reason is voiced by other countries - this is India’s desire to take its place in the study of Mars in order to show its capabilities.
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It would be good, of course, if all the space powers could join forces with a common goal, the development of near-Earth space and the planets closest to Earth. But, apparently, for the time being, the countries will work separately, launching vehicles who are on the moon, who are on Mars, and who else. As mentioned above, if it benefits the common cause, very well. If resources are simply spent on participating in the race “space prestige”, without benefit to science, this will only harm research ...

Well, let's hope that the space powers will cooperate. In the meantime, we wish the Indians good luck.

theverge