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The Indian Space Program
October 21, 2008
It is hoping that a moon mission — recognizes India as a nuclear power — will
further enhance that status. [1] Chief among the mission's goals is mapping not
only the surface of the moon, but what lies beneath. India joined what's shaping
up as a 21st century space race with Chinese and Japanese crafts already in
orbit around the moon. [1]
This launch is important to India. It will help India cement its position in the
commercial satellite launch sector, and it will give the Indian Space Research
Organisation (ISRO) valuable experience in building hi-tech spacecraft,
improved rocketry and more advanced remote navigation technology — all of
which could be put to many uses. In addition, the probe will spend the next two
years mapping the entire lunar surface for minerals, including Helium-3 which is
sought for nuclear fusion research, to which India could lay claim in future.
India's scientific community also hopes such prestigious projects will help them
compete with the better-paying private sector to attract more scientists to the
country's space program. [2]
China, long viewed as India's most important strategic competitor, caused a
storm last year when it shot down one of its defunct satellites. [2] China had
stolen a march in 2003 by becoming only the third nation to fly a man into space
(after the U.S. and the old Soviet Union). To date only the U.S., Russia, the
European Space Agency, Japan and China have sent missions to the moon.
The United States is the only nation to have landed a man on the lunar surface,
doing so for the first time in 1969. [3] But when, ten days from now,
Chandrayaan-I drops a probe bearing India's flag onto the moon, India will
become only the fourth country to plant its colors on the lunar landscape —
after the Americans, the Russians, and Japan. [2]
About India Space Program - How did it start?
India's space programme began at a church in what was once a tiny fishing
village called Thumba. In 1962, when the Indian National Committee For Space
Research (INCOSPAR) was established, father of India's nuclear programme
Homi Bhabha, along with Vikram Sarabhai, evaluated a number of sites in Kerala
to establish a rocket station.
But there was a hitch. Fisherfolk of the village, emotionally attached to the place,
particularly the St Mary Magadelene's Church had to be convinced to give up
the place. The task fell on a former bishop of Thiruvanathanapuram. During a
Sunday congregation, he spoke to the villagers about the advantages of a
space programme. He then asked if they had any objections if the village was
handed over to the space department. The villagers paused only a while, and
chorused, "amen", indicating that they were ready to give up their village.
[1] India launches moon mission in Asian space race Associated Press October
21, 2008 [2] India Gains on China in Asia's Space Race Times October 21,
2008. [3] India readies 1st moon mission in Asian space race The Associated
Press October 21, 2008 [4] India's space journey started from a village church
The Times of India 22 Oct 2008 [5] Anjana Pasricha India Launches 7 Satellites
Voice of American News 23 September 2009
October 21, 2008
It is hoping that a moon mission — recognizes India as a nuclear power — will
further enhance that status. [1] Chief among the mission's goals is mapping not
only the surface of the moon, but what lies beneath. India joined what's shaping
up as a 21st century space race with Chinese and Japanese crafts already in
orbit around the moon. [1]
This launch is important to India. It will help India cement its position in the
commercial satellite launch sector, and it will give the Indian Space Research
Organisation (ISRO) valuable experience in building hi-tech spacecraft,
improved rocketry and more advanced remote navigation technology — all of
which could be put to many uses. In addition, the probe will spend the next two
years mapping the entire lunar surface for minerals, including Helium-3 which is
sought for nuclear fusion research, to which India could lay claim in future.
India's scientific community also hopes such prestigious projects will help them
compete with the better-paying private sector to attract more scientists to the
country's space program. [2]
China, long viewed as India's most important strategic competitor, caused a
storm last year when it shot down one of its defunct satellites. [2] China had
stolen a march in 2003 by becoming only the third nation to fly a man into space
(after the U.S. and the old Soviet Union). To date only the U.S., Russia, the
European Space Agency, Japan and China have sent missions to the moon.
The United States is the only nation to have landed a man on the lunar surface,
doing so for the first time in 1969. [3] But when, ten days from now,
Chandrayaan-I drops a probe bearing India's flag onto the moon, India will
become only the fourth country to plant its colors on the lunar landscape —
after the Americans, the Russians, and Japan. [2]
About India Space Program - How did it start?
India's space programme began at a church in what was once a tiny fishing
village called Thumba. In 1962, when the Indian National Committee For Space
Research (INCOSPAR) was established, father of India's nuclear programme
Homi Bhabha, along with Vikram Sarabhai, evaluated a number of sites in Kerala
to establish a rocket station.
But there was a hitch. Fisherfolk of the village, emotionally attached to the place,
particularly the St Mary Magadelene's Church had to be convinced to give up
the place. The task fell on a former bishop of Thiruvanathanapuram. During a
Sunday congregation, he spoke to the villagers about the advantages of a
space programme. He then asked if they had any objections if the village was
handed over to the space department. The villagers paused only a while, and
chorused, "amen", indicating that they were ready to give up their village.
[1] India launches moon mission in Asian space race Associated Press October
21, 2008 [2] India Gains on China in Asia's Space Race Times October 21,
2008. [3] India readies 1st moon mission in Asian space race The Associated
Press October 21, 2008 [4] India's space journey started from a village church
The Times of India 22 Oct 2008 [5] Anjana Pasricha India Launches 7 Satellites
Voice of American News 23 September 2009
On November 15 2008 India rejoiced over the landing of a lunar probe on the moon's
surface that vaulted the country into the league of space-faring nations like the China, United
States and Russia.
surface that vaulted the country into the league of space-faring nations like the China, United
States and Russia.
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HOME (Space)
NASA spots
'gamma ray-only'
pulsar
The Indian's Space
Program
Spaceman drinks
urine
Water Purification
Black Hole
Apophis
Planets
Mars-Methane
NASA spots
'gamma ray-only'
pulsar
The Indian's Space
Program
Spaceman drinks
urine
Water Purification
Black Hole
Apophis
Planets
Mars-Methane
| Scibean.com |
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23 September 2009 India has launched seven satellites from a single rocket,
demonstrating its growing skills in multi-satellite launches. The success comes
nearly a month after India had to end its inaugural Moon mission early.
Within a space of 20 minutes, an Indian rocket placed one big satellite and six
small ones into space from the Sriharikota space center in eastern India.
The big remote-sensing satellite will map fishing zones around India, measure
ocean surfaces and wind speeds and track monsoons and cyclones.
The six small satellites belong to other countries - four to Germany, one to
Switzerland and one to Turkey.
Last year, India put 10 satellites in space in a single launch.
In the past decade, India's 46-year space program has focused on developing
rocket-launching capabilities to gain a slice of the multi-billion-dollar
space-launch market. It has put an Italian satellite and an Israeli spy satellite
into orbit.
Wednesday's satellite launch also brings a lift to the country's space scientists,
who were disappointed last month when the country's first mission to the Moon
had to be terminated after contact with the unmanned spacecraft was lost. [5]
demonstrating its growing skills in multi-satellite launches. The success comes
nearly a month after India had to end its inaugural Moon mission early.
Within a space of 20 minutes, an Indian rocket placed one big satellite and six
small ones into space from the Sriharikota space center in eastern India.
The big remote-sensing satellite will map fishing zones around India, measure
ocean surfaces and wind speeds and track monsoons and cyclones.
The six small satellites belong to other countries - four to Germany, one to
Switzerland and one to Turkey.
Last year, India put 10 satellites in space in a single launch.
In the past decade, India's 46-year space program has focused on developing
rocket-launching capabilities to gain a slice of the multi-billion-dollar
space-launch market. It has put an Italian satellite and an Israeli spy satellite
into orbit.
Wednesday's satellite launch also brings a lift to the country's space scientists,
who were disappointed last month when the country's first mission to the Moon
had to be terminated after contact with the unmanned spacecraft was lost. [5]