New Delhi: From transporting rocket parts on bicycles and satellites on bullock vehicles to becoming a global leader in space exploration, India’s space journey is no less than extraordinary, ISRO President V Narayanan said on Saturday.
Speaking at the 27th convocation of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Kozhikode, Narayanan reflected on India’s change in the space field, holding it responsible for a determination to overcome firmness, indigenous innovation and early failures.
“India was behind 60 to 70 years when it launched its space program. In the 1990s, we were denied and humiliated cryogenic engine technology. But today, we are only one of the six countries that have developed cryogenic engines – and we have built three,” he said.
India’s global footprint in space
Narayanan highlighted the head of India Space achievements,
- 131
Indian satellite Currently orbiting the Earth - 433 satellites launched for 34 countries
- 100 successful launch with Centennial Mission on 29 January this year
He proudly stated that India was the first and only country to complete the Mars orbiter mission in its first attempt and the first to discover water molecules on the moon through Chandran -1. Chandrayaan -3 mission made India first to land on the south pole of the moon, a milestone has been achieved by some nations.
Breaking global record in cryogenics
India has also set three world records related to cryogenic engine development, Narayan revealed. While other nations usually take 42 months for 5 months for the readiness and rocket propulsion test from engine tests:
- India completed engine-to-flight in just 28 months
- Propulsion system testing was completed in 34 days
“These are world records,” he said, emphasizing India’s growing technical growth.
looking ahead
Narayanan said that India is one of the only four countries, with a satellite studying the Sun and is planning the Chandrayaan -5 mission in collaboration with Japan.
“So, we have traveled a long way from the era of bicycles and bails carrying rockets and satellites,” ISRO chief said, “urged young graduates to be proud of India’s scientific achievements and contribute to its future development.”
