The Chandrayaan-3 lander, named Vikram after the father of India’s space program, successfully landed on the Moon today, marking a significant milestone in India’s space journey. This achievement pays tribute to the legendary space scientist Vikram Sarabhai, who played a pivotal role in shaping India’s space program.
Vikram Sarabhai’s vision of utilizing space science and technology for the benefit of the common man has been the guiding force behind India’s space program. From the humble beginnings of Sarabhai’s laboratory-cum-office in the Retreat Bungalow in Ahmedabad, the journey began. It was here that the groundbreaking institutes, the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), were conceptualized back in 1945.
Sarabhai, along with his students, spent countless hours in this small outhouse, manufacturing Geiger counters for studying cosmic rays and their intensities. With support from various institutions and government bodies, the PRL was eventually relocated to a laboratory in MG Science College in 1947.
Sarabhai’s passion for scientific exploration led him to collaborate with Dr. KR Ramanathan and establish the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS) in Thumba, near Thiruvananthapuram. It was an unconventional setting for India’s nascent space program, with minimal infrastructure, rusty buses, and an office housed in an old church building.
In 1963, Sarabhai and his team successfully launched India’s first rocket, the Nike-Apache sounding rocket, with the help of collaborations with the United Nations and NASA. This marked the beginning of India’s foray into space exploration. Over the years, Sarabhai’s relentless efforts led to the establishment of ISRO, one of the largest government space agencies in the world.
His dream of launching India’s first satellite into orbit was realized in 1975, four years after his untimely demise. With the launch of the Aryabhata satellite, India announced its arrival on the global space stage. Sarabhai’s vision of utilizing space technology for the betterment of society and his emphasis on applications-driven programs paved the way for numerous advancements in India’s space sector.
Vikram Sarabhai’s contributions extended beyond space research. He played a key role in founding institutions such as the Indian Institute of Management (IIM-A), the Darpana Academy of Performing Arts, and the National Institute of Design. He was also involved in running successful businesses and piloting the Atomic Energy Commission.
Today, as the Chandrayaan-3 lander named Vikram successfully touches down on the lunar surface, it is not only a testament to India’s remarkable space journey but also a tribute to the man who laid the foundation for this extraordinary endeavor. Vikram Sarabhai’s legacy lives on through the milestones of India’s space program, carrying forward his vision of harnessing space science and technology for the betterment of humanity.
