Glory of space India

India has successfully launched GSLV Mark-III once again, signifying the unique capability of our space science community. The nation salutes them with a sense of gratitude. The successful launch of GSLV is magnificent for many reasons.

The launch demonstrated India’s capability for re-entry of crew module. This can also be a prelude towards human space flight. The GSLV Mark-III is capable of doubling the capacity of payloads India can carry into space. It will help us further penetrate the multi-million dollar global space market. India now offers launch vehicle technology at a much cheaper price compared to the space powers like the United States or the European Union.

The present success is a culmination of over four decades of scintillating efforts. India mastered many aspects of space science – ranging from production of satellites, launch vehicle technology to space applications. The uniqueness of the Indian space programme is in placing thrust on self-reliance and showing a commitment to apply the knowledge of space for socio-economic advancement of our people. The mind-boggling uses of space technology testify to this vision. Satellite technology in India is used in weather prediction, television broadcasting, remote sensing , tele-medicine, education and training, navigation, environmental planning , agriculture, drought and flood control, disaster management, telecommunications etc. The contribution of space science to the Indian economy and the society is thus immense.

The country has, of late, entered the lucrative commercial space market. The Indian industry will have many spin-off benefits of this revolutionary space technology, too. The self-reliant space programme paved way for a multi-pronged space infrastructure. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) braved many complex challenges and international sanctions. The GSLV programme itself faced sanctions from the United States. But, this did not deter us from mastering indigenous space knowledge.

The successful launch of Mangalyaan and Chandrayaan earlier has catapulted India into the elite global space club in which even many affluent nations also could not enter. India was successful in Mars Mission in the first attempt itself, which even United States could not do. The Moon Mineralogy Mapper of NASA aboard the Indian Chandrayaan conclusively established the presence of water for the first time. This mission also demonstrated our capability in deep space exploration and inter planetary missions, besides reinforcing international recognition for Indian space programme. Despite meagre budgetary allocations and stringent international sanctions, Indian space scientists have accomplished something which makes every Indian feel proud.

Many Indian universities, private, public sector industries, research institutions etc., are part of this half a century long space journey envisioned by legendary scientist Vikram Sarabhai. The journey began in the early 60s at a time when the nation was not even producing enough food to feed its population. Now, this space programme firmly places India in the knowledge economy.