Following unmanned Chandrayaan 1 success, India announce £1.7bn plan to take space exploration to the next level. Still requiring government sign off - but endorsed by all powerful Planning Commission - India plans to beat China in the race to the moon.

Space plans go in to warp drive

Having unveiled the design of the unmanned space capsule at Aero India 2009 in Bangalore; India looks to accelerate their program.

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) plan to launch Chandrayaan 2 in 2011. In 2014 - 11 years after China - they aim to send an astronaut in to space, all going well, they intend to land a man on the moon in 2020, incredibly beating China by 4 years. Reaction is mixed, as India's real motivation is questioned by some.

Ego trip or necessity

Considering levels of poverty, some believe the cost unjustifiable. Government and ISRO see space exploration and spin-off commercial satellite launches as an industry to sustain the tech boom, employing engineers, technicians and suppliers for years.

ISRO also plans to distribute a 25-page illustrated booklet to Indian schools; targeted at 12 -15 year olds, the aim is to inspire students to study science.

In addition there is a belief that as the West has colonized natural resources on earth, India can financially benefit in the long term from conquering new frontiers.

Military might?

With Pakistan and China on its border many feel pro-western India is flexing its muscle and raising its status with the US. Richard Fischer, senior fellow on Asian Military Affairs at the International Assessment and Strategy Centre, said last week that India should confront China's military threat through its space program.

What ever the real reason, additional investment represents a significant step forward for India's space plans.

Image source - Indian Space Research Organisation