Remembering Vikram Sarabhai, the father of the Indian Space Programme, on his 100th birthday

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Millions of Indians woke up on Monday to a Google Doodle on one of the most celebrated scientists of our times, Vikram Sarabhai.

The Google Doodle features an illustration by Mumbai-based artist Pavan Rajurkar on Vikram Sarabhai, the father of the Indian Space Programme, using elements like the moon, rockets, and more to depict what he firmly stood for.

Vikram Sarabhai, then ISRO Chairman, signing an agreement with Thomas Paine, then Director of NASA SITE agreement, in 1969.

And today, his efforts have indeed paid off. A month ago, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), launched Chandrayaan-2, India’s successful mission to the South Pole of the Moon, becoming the first country to do so.

The man who started it all, Dr Vikram Ambala Sarabhai, was born in Ahmedabad on August 12, 1919. He attended Gujarat College, and later travelled to England to earn his doctorate at Cambridge University.

Making India space-forward

Following the successful launch of Sputnik by Russia, Sarabhai impressed upon the government the need for a comprehensive space programme.

He said, “There are some who question the relevance of space activities in a developing nation. To us, there is no ambiguity of purpose. We do not have the fantasy of competing with the economically advanced nations in the exploration of the moon or the planets or manned space-flight.”But we are convinced that if we are to play a meaningful role nationally, and in the community of nations, we must be second to none in the application of advanced technologies to the real problems of man and society.”

He started the Indian National Committee for Space Research in 1962, which later became the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Under his leadership, the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station was established in Kerala, with a successful launch in 1963. The first Indian satellite Aryabhatta was also sent into orbit in 1975.

He also played a major role in the setting up of renowned institutes like IIM-Ahmedabad, and Physical Research Laboratory, which is a National Research Institute for Space and Allied Sciences in Ahmedabad.

The beginning of satellite broadcasting

Vikram Sarabhai believed firmly in the need for communication and education, especially of those living in rural areas, whom he wanted to reach out to via satellites. In 1966, he requested NASA to design an experimental satellite communication project, known as Satellite Instructional Television Experiment (SITE).

The programme, launched in 1975, aimed to make television and other informational programmes available to rural India. It also helped India gain technical knowledge and experience in the field of satellite communications.