ISRO completes 50 illustrious years today

Sullurpet (Nellore): It was on November 21, 1963, at 18:25 IST that the American made Nike-Apache rocket was launched from Thumba, the first rocket to be launched from Indian soil for scientific purposes. The Indian Space Research Organisation successfully completes 50 years of existence this year.

ISRO which started with humble beginnings like introduction of low-weight satellites into the space now has the largest fleet of remote sensing satellites in the world.

On the occasion of making history in its space odyssey for the past 50 years, ISRO, Sriharikota Director Dr. MYS Prasad confidently said that ISRO will own strong technological system in another 50 years. He said that, Dr Vikram A Sarabhai, the father of India’s space programme started the operations from inside a cow shed on August 15, 1969. Its first achievement was the launch of the Aryabhatta satellite using a Russian rocket. Isro was also responsible for the first large scale launch of remote sensing satellites for television broadcasts. ISRO started its activities at Sriharikota in 1975 and successfully introduced Ocean Sat, Anusat, Rohini, Insat, Cardosat satellites into the orbit. ISRO has completed 25 experiments through PSLV rocket launch and six rocket experiment through GSLV rocket vehicles and became a role model to many countries with 29 achievements in its kitty. Dr. MYS Prasad further said that 24 satellites - 13 communications and 11 remote sensing – are rendering services.

Responding to a question, he pointed at the Central government for the students not showing interest on science and technology. The industrial sector lacking interest on research and lack of adequate funds also can be quoted as reasons, he added. “The government is allotting only one per cent of funds towards science and technology and there is a great need to increase the percentage. The Central government is allotting Rs 6,000 crores only to ISRO in the annual budget,” he said.

He said that ISRO’s main aim is to own the technology that is most useful for the public and country. ISRO is going to launch GSLV mark rocket-3 in the coming two years, he said.

The Director said that this 50 years success is not the sweat and toil of any single person. Saying that direct hard work of more than 16,000 employees and indirect participation of another 4,000 people is behind ISRO’s success, SHAR Director Prasad congratulated each and everyone for the greatest achievement.