ISRO History Glance: Carrying Rocket Parts on Bicycle to Pointing for Mars In 6 Decades
From carrying parts of the first rocket on a bicycle to finding water on the Moon, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has come a long way because its inception and has been pioneering space missions with untiring zeal. Following its incredible success over the years, it is worthwhile to also celebrate its journey, its challenges, and its determination to overcome them. A Twitter thread has now beautifully captured the highlights of ISRO and India’s six-decade flight to triumph.
The beginning
According to Zatakia, India’s space research began in the 1920s with Professor S K Mitra, who among with his team conducted a number of experiments to understand radio waves and the ionosphere until the 1940s. This triggered an interest in space research and researchers began harmonizing. In 1945, Dr Homi J Bhabha established the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR). Two years later, Dr Vikram Sarabhai set up a Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmedabad. And in 1954, the Department of Atomic Energy (DoAE) was founded to lead the funding for atomic and space research in India.
The middle years and the first launch
In 1962, INCOSPAR was born with assist from Dr Bhabha. The new organisation took over the space research responsibilities from DoAE. Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, who later became the President of India, was one of the first members of INCOSPAR.
The defining image
A year later, ISRO wanted to release an experimental communication satellite – named APPLE. But the satellite antenna had to be tested under a thermal blanket and ISRO did not have the facility to do that at the time. APPLE was then put on a bullock cart to provide a non-magnetic atmosphere and test the antennas in a field.
The future
ISRO has declared it is aiming to launch India’s third lunar mission — Chandrayaan-3 — sometime in 2021. Its plans include manned mission ‘Gaganyaan’ by 2022, a follow-up of the Mangalyaan by 2024, and build a space station as a follow-up of the Gaganyaan mission.
