Space investigation was initiated in India by Vikram Sarabhai way back in 1968. He expected ISRO to work for the benefit of common people and help in providing solutions to the country’s problems. He never fantasized exploration of the celestial bodies or manned missions. Sarabhai considered space technology as a tool to fulfill development requirements. He was aware of the information about our critical resources and communications.
Sarabhai passed away in 1971 and his successors at ISRO were Prof. MGK Menon, Satish Dhawan, VR Rao. They continued to work on his vision. ISRO built capabilities in remote sensing, communication, broadcasting, meteorology, earth observation, satellite technologies. UR Rao left in 1994. By that time Sarabhai’s vision has been fulfilled.
India expended its space programme. Later. ISRO has turned into a space exploration agency. ISRO’s Kasturirangan (1994-2003) undertook the moon mission. India faced international controls which became worse after the 1998 nuclear tests. India was denied the crucial cryogenic technology. India created in-house capabilities.
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