Robot for India's Moon Mission by IIT Kanpur

ISRO, Indian Space Research Organisation, is planning to send a robot for its mission to moon. It is probably going to be made by students and profs of IIT-Kanpur (the Indian equivalent of MIT). The two-legged robot, fitted with sophisticated sensors and high-resolution cameras, is capable of recording information and images using laser beams. It can also detect the distance of a hindrance, enter a small crater, bring surface samples and return high resolution images to the lunar vehicle. It balances cost and sophistication; basic functionality for only $50,000.

Comments

you assume obscene amounts of money aren't req'd.

[rickmccl]

The best thing about it only costing 50 grand is that it will be easier to send up a replacement when the cheap parts on the first one fsck up. Thanks for assuming the large amount of cash spent on space exploration is wasted, subby. Way to be a team player. When I leave this planet, I'm leaving you behind, kthxbi.

Time-tested Formula for Indian Failure

[Anonymous Coward]

Look closely at Indian society. It has consistently wasted billions of dollars on government projects that do nothing for the people in India. Consider the following.

1. nuclear weapons
2. robots on the moon
3. installations of Internet connections in rural areas that do not even have schools.

Now, look at Japan. The Japanese made no significant effort in space exploration until after Japan became rich -- i.e., after the Japanese had a high standard of living. The Japanese did not care that they were "behind" the USA in space technology. What counted most (when your population is impoverished) is building the economy. Similar comments apply to Eastern Europe and other successful societies.

Now, look at India. The Indians basically destroyed their own society. They continue to destroy their society. While child prostitution is rampant in India due to horrific poverty, the Indians in the elite classes direct government to spend billions on building nuclear bombs and robots on the moon. Meanwhile, other Indian elites (like Vinod Khosla) take a hike to the USA.

Beagle 3?

[tomhath]

This article reminds me of the same hype we heard before the Europeans' Beagle 2 landed on Mars. What a bargin it was, how they would show NASA how it's done, etc. Except no signal was ever detected from Beagle 2, while Spirit and Opportunity are still going strong. Yea, they really showed NASA.

Mostly, the referenced article sounds like wishful thinking.

Re:IIT = MIT? ha

[Anonymous Coward]

Just to repeat what has been said many times since the IIT PR extravaganza began a few years ago: the basic reason this comparison sounds stupid and embarrassing even to most people inside the IIT system is that these institutions are not modeled as research unversities at all!

They are primarily colleges for undergraduate engineering education. Having done a reasonable job at that mandated task for the last half century or so, they are just beginning to build graduate programs and research capabilities needed to support them.

The MIT comparisons are some deluded bureaucrat's PR idea which the media have of course lapped up and sadly, as it seems from the original article that atleast some insiders too are falling for it.

Re:Spellcheck FFS: "sophisitication"

[ghoul]

Most education in India is carried out in English so regardless of first language anyone at IIT will probably be a better English speaker than the general Slashdot Reader. However that doesnt prevent people from making silly mistakes while typing fast on Slashdot. I mean the Slashdot entry is probably the least important portion of that persons day so lay off on the Grammar Nazism.