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| Indian Space Research Organisation |
Since the 1920s several scientists were performing space experiments in India. The leading among them was SK Mitra, Meghnad Saha, and CV Raman.
Although organized space research in India was first led by two scientists. Dr. Homi Bhabha, who is known as the Father of Atomic Energy. And Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, who in 1947 established the Physical Research Laboratory Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
Sarabhai's dream was to develop space technology for India, which he could use for the interest of the country. And his dream got inspiration when in 1957 Russia launched the Sputnik 1 satellite. For a country like India developing expensive space technology was a big challenge.
But despite the challenge, Dr. Homi Bhabha and Dr. Vikram Sarabhai met Prime Minister Nehru and convinced him to invest him in space.
Finally in 1962, under the leadership of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, the Indian National Committee for Space Research, aka INCOSPAR was established. Owing to Dr. Sarabhai's efforts NASA signed an agreement, to lend their rocket 'Nike-Apache' Rocket to India.
The objective of INCOSPAR was to successfully launch this rocket. But for that, they required a rocket launching station.
In search of a launching location Dr. Sarabhai scouted several locations around the country, finally reached a small fishermen's village called Thumba, in Thiruvananthapuram of Kerala.
He realised that in the church of Mary Magdalene, the compass needle neither pointed north nor south. Meaning this church was situated on the magnetic equator. And the village was close to the geographic equator.
He knew the closer the rocket launching station is to the earth's geometric equator, the planetary spin gives a speed boost to the rocket's launch. Meaning this place for perfect for a launching station.
When Dr. Sarabhai and his fellow scientists met the church's bishop, to talk about buying the church's land, Reverend Peter Pereira smiled. And invited everyone to the Sunday mass. During the mass, the Bishop presented Dr. Sarabhai's question in front of the villagers like this.
My children, we've a well-known scientist amongst us today. They are asking for our church and village for space science and research. Science and spirituality both work for human's prosperity.
Science tries to make our life better, while spirituality our mind. Meaning Vikram and I do the same job. So shall we donate the Lord's house for this scientific experiment?
Hearing the Bishop's words the villages gave their agreement, and the village was relocated in under 100 days.
The same church was used to make a rocket design and assembly centre. The Bishop's home was used for a space engineering workshop, and the church's cowshed was the new laboratory. And the village became Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Centre.
When NASA's rocket was brought to the launch platform, everyone saw a unique scene. Our scientists were bringing the rocket parts on a cycle.
Everything was going well when suddenly while assembling the rocket, and assembling on the launcher the hydraulic crane began to leak.
When the scientists finally brought the rocket in position manually, they realised that the remote launch system has also malfunctioned. The day had set while fixing this malfunction, and finally, the launch time had arrived.
Everyone had their eyes on India. On the evening of 21st November 1963, at 6.25 pm the launch countdown began.
Initiating launch sequence.
5...4...3...2...1…
Under the setting sun, India successfully launched their first rocket, and took their first step towards space.
On the occasion of India's 22nd Independence, on 15th August 1969, INCOSPAR took on a new form. And thus ISRO was born.
Indian Space and Research Organization. A unique organization that found water on the moon by sending the Chandrayaan, and by sending the Mangalyaan to Mars made India a powerful entity in the world of space.
NOTE
Headquarters: Bengaluru
Founded: 15 August 1969
Founder: Vikram Sarabhai
Annual budget: ₹13,700 crore (US$1.8 billion) (2022–23)
Jurisdiction: India
Parent organization: Department of Space
Subsidiary: Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre
SOME QUESTIONS
1. Where is the Headquarters of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)?
ANS- Bangalore
2. When was ISRO formed?
ANS- 15 August 1969
3. What is the Full Form of SDSC?
ANS- Satish Dhawan Space Centre
4. Who is the Owner of the Indian Space Research Organisation?
ANS- Department of Space
5. Which Satellite is used for Resources Monitoring and Management by ISRO?
ANS- IRS (Indian Remote Sensing Satellites)
6. When was the First Rocket launched from India?
ANS- 21 November 1963
7. Who is the Father of the Indian Space Program?
ANS- Vikram Sarabhai
8. When was Chandrayaan-1 launched?
ANS- 22 October 2008
9. When was Chandrayaan-2 launched?
ANS- 22 July 2019
10. Where was Chandrayaan-2 launched?
ANS- Satish Dhawan Space Centre Second LaunchPad (Sriharikota)
11. Who was elected as the Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation on 15 January 2018?
ANS- K. Sivan
12.Name the First Satellite built by India?
ANS- Aryabhata
13. Who was the First Chairman of the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR)?
ANS- Vikram Sarabhai
14. Who is known as the Missile Man of India?
ANS- A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
15. Which Missile was developed Under A. P. J. Abdul Kalam’s Guidance?
ANS- Prithvi
16. When was the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR) Set Up?
ANS- 1962
17. Which Satellite is used by Tata Sky?
ANS- INSAT-4A
18. Which is the First Successful Nuclear Bomb Test by India on 18 May 1974?
ANS- Smiling Buddha
19. How many Radar Imaging Satellites (RISAT) does ISRO currently Operate?
ANS- Four
20. Which was the first Satellite of the RISAT series to reach Orbit?
ANS- RISAT-2 (April 20, 2009)