One would imagine that scientists believe less in rituals. ISRO scientists pray at the Thirupathi temple before every mission.
Mangalyaan, India’s First Mars Mission
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Re: Mangalyaan, India’s First Mars Mission
#12Here's a nice FAQ by Emily Lakdawalla of The Planetary Society:
http://www.planetary.org/blogs/emily-lakdawalla/2013/1031123...
Re: Mangalyaan, India’s First Mars Mission
#13One would imagine that scientists believe less in rituals. ISRO scientists pray at the Thirupathi temple before every mission.
not just isro scientists. even when our aircraft carrier INS Vikrant was launched, we had an elaborate pooja
Re: Mangalyaan, India’s First Mars Mission
#14One would imagine that scientists believe less in rituals. ISRO scientists pray at the Thirupathi temple before every mission.
Yes, that's the tradition :)
Former Isro chairman G Madhavan Nair on Monday said, “This has been a tradition. I had also gone to Tirupati before the Chandrayaan mission.”
But more than religious beliefs, he said these temple visits helped des-stress the mind and offer clarity.
But beyond this, do superstitions and other beliefs have a hold on the scientists?
“Not really,” said Mylswamy Annadurai, the project director of moon missions Chandrayaan 1 and Chandrayaan 2. “I read a page of Bhagawad Gita daily and will do so on Tuesday.”
He added, “But yes I have just got a jar of peanuts and a good luck card from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory-Nasa. This is a very nice gesture. I will distribute these peanuts in my office on Tuesday morning.”
Scientists at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) consider circulation of peanuts auspicious.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/news-feed/science/ahead-of-mar...
Re: Mangalyaan, India’s First Mars Mission
#15Thanks JD. Good coverage on Mangalyan.
For many Indians who are criticizing this Mission saying that the money would be better spent on toilets or teachers, this is an eye opener: Why Explore space http://launiusr.wordpress.com/2012/02/08/why-explore-space-a...
Re: Mangalyaan, India’s First Mars Mission
#16Why ISROs Mars Mission is cheapest? http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-10-31/news...
Similar to SpaceX and most other space programs, they take from the research and technology developed previously to implement their own version.
For example, NASA developed different forms/methods of long distance communications which allow the spacecraft to communicate with the ground. That 63 million for development of the ISROs Mars Mission takes advantage of that. Saving cost.
Further, because some to many of the parts have been produced for decades and NASA retired their rockets, there are parts "on the cheap."
Re: Mangalyaan, India’s First Mars Mission
#17I suppose the mass of 1337 kg increases the PR effect of the tax payer funded show?
Re: Mangalyaan, India’s First Mars Mission
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Re: Mangalyaan, India’s First Mars Mission
#19Every time India space programs discussion comes out a group of people will bring up India's poverty and other problem that should be fixed instead of investing on space program.
I used to be one of those guys (I am from Bangladesh), then I looked at the actual cost of this space program and realized that its not a lot of money (~$70 Million) even by India's standard. For example, in india's domestic cricket tournament (IPL) one of their franchise was sold for $370 million.
I also don't buy the wholesale "you shouldn't do x, unless y is achieved/fixed" argument. It might apply to some instances, for example india defense budget is about $46 billion, a big portion of it could have been certainly spent to alleviate the living condition of poor Indians in general. But most of the problem in India and other south-east asian countries are corruption and inefficiencies, not (always) lack of funds.
Re: Mangalyaan, India’s First Mars Mission
#20One would imagine that scientists believe less in rituals. ISRO scientists pray at the Thirupathi temple before every mission.
Its not like NASA scientists don't have their rituals too. The Russians, as well, have a history of sticking to their superstitious habits also.
Science doesn't mean you have to be an emotion-less robot.