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For the past decades, first world and third world countries are starting to close the gap brought about by space aspirations and achievements.

For over 50 years, the United States have dominated space science and exploration, spearheading moon landings, space flights, travel to far planets, launch of almost 4,000 surveillance and communication satellites, and development of multination space station.

Developing nations such as China has also embarked on extensive space programmes, developed satellite vehicles and launch sites, and carried out manned space flights. In addition, China has announced its plan to launch an unmanned robotic mission to the moon, aiming to explore lunar mining, and establish a space station, probably in collaboration with other third-world countries. Other plans consist of astrophysics research, which include a deep-space tracking network that involves the world’s biggest radio antennae and the launch of the world’s biggest solar space telescope.

Pakistan, Nigeria, Malaysia, Iran, Indonesia, Egypt, Argentina and Algeria have already owned and operated satellites, which they utilised to enhance communications, national defence, environmental protection and agriculture. Brazil and India also have capabilities for a satellite launch.

Space programmes critics have argued that it is better for developing countries to spend funding on healthcare and the construction of universities and infrastructure rather than in space industry, failing to acknowledge that the science and technology of space can have vital contributions to the most critical economic and social needs of a country and can also transform industrialization.


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