got geoint?

India is making grandiose plans to advance its efforts when it comes to being an international player in the “Space Race.” Through community-based programs, India’s space agency has been partnering with schools in remote areas to teach students about space exploration and cutting-edge technology. The agency is also training thousands of young scientists and, in 2012, will open the nation’s first astronaut-training center in the southern city of Bangalore. The goal of the effort is to expand India’s international profile in space and catapult it into a space race with China.

This Washington Post article came out earlier this week, and the timing is very interesting — coming on the heels of Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger’s (D-MD) comments at GEOINT 2009 about how America is in danger of losing its preeminence in space. What do you all think about this? Does having an emerging country like India — expanding its space-based efforts — further undermine the U.S.’s space leadership? Will is actually prove to be beneficial, meaning that a new player on the scene will help push us to be more innovative? We welcome all thoughts and feedback.

Tags: Bangalore, Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, GEOINT, India, India in Space, NASA, Space, Space Race, US Space Leadership, USGIF, Washington Post