"Astronomy compels the soul to look upward, and leads us from this world to another." (Plato, The Republic, 342 BCE). People have been allured by the very idea of space exploration since centuries ago, but they may not have had the technology to execute their dreams. Now, human technology is rapidly developing, so exploring space is no longer just a far-fetched fantasy. The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), was formed in 1969. ISRO is behind many of India's proud achievements, for example, ISRO made India the first nation to reach Mars orbit on its first try, as well as the fourth nation and the first in Asia to reach Mars orbit. ISRO also built India's first satellite, which was launched by the Soviet Union in 1975. ISRO is a diplomatically developed program, with relations with many space programs from other nations. 29 Indian satellites have been launched by foreign launch vehicles, and as of October 2015, India has agreed to launch 23 foreign satellites. Lumos 724, ISRO's newest space mission, is an opportunity to improve relations with other nations, and to earn India a place amongst the developed space programs. In this mission, ISRO is sending a rover, Lumos 724, to Gliese 832c, a planet extremely similar to Earth in terms of climate and atmosphere. Since Gliese 832c has not been explored and it is unknown to our planet, ISRO will face challenges due to our minimal understanding of Gliese 832c.

 

There are many reasons as though why ISRO's newest space rover, Lumos 724, is designed to explore the super-Earth Gliese 832c, located in the constellation Grus. From this mission, ISRO hopes to find evidence of life on Gliese 832c. If it succeeds in finding evidence of life, the image of India amongst developed nations can be improved, and India might no longer be viewed as a typical developing nation. By proving to other countries that ISRO is capable of funding and developing advanced technologies, other nations might be more willing to work or support India.

 

ISRO is gathering funds and the support of other nations so ISRO can perfect Lumos 724 and pay for the costs of this mission. ISRO will launch Lumos 724 on October 10th 9PM 2016, when the whole constellation Grus is on the prime meridian, so the spacecraft can be projected more accurately. It is estimated that by then, Lumos 724 will already be through the final steps of testing, and ready to be launched into the unknown. Since Gliese 832c has never been explored in the history of mankind, scientists must take every step of precaution. One of Lumos 724's main purposes there is to search for evidence of life, or a climate habitual for life. Consequently, the engineers in charge of the rover design has put the function of each rover part into heavy consideration. The rover has many sensors installed to detect measurements such as temperature, light, humidity. It also has protection components like the crash sensor.

 

Since India is still known as a developing nation, and ISRO hasn’t yet secured its place amongst advanced programs, ISRO might have difficulty in gaining support. The funds that neighboring developing nations can offer may not be sufficient in order to develop the technology for Lumos 724 to successfully reach Gliese 832c in 16.1 light years. However, economically advanced, and perhaps the more resourceful countries, may not think this mission is worth their time and resources. ISRO is working hard to allow the world to realize how determined and brilliant the elites working on Lumos 724 are, and that ISRO would not let its supporters down.

 

By sending Lumos 724 to Gliese 832c, ISRO is hoping to discover signs of life, and improve India's place amongst developed nations. By conducting this mission ISRO may prove the existence of extraterrestrial life, and gain respect from nations and alleviation from the reputation, of being a poor country, that India now holds. Overcoming all the difficulties in the way, ISRO hopes to achieve respect amongst nations, and also develop its technology for the benefit of India and mankind. Space has always been an exciting topic of exploration to mankind, and there is no end on exploring the boundless secrets the universe holds.

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