JOIN USThe MOMent of truth
Ironic, it may seem, that India’s tryst with space history was made on a day believed to be rather ‘inauspicious’.
The Mars Orbit Mission (MOM) had defied not only gravity but pre-conceived notions too. With the country now standing at the cutting edge of scientific technology, there is also a hope to renew the scientific temper of youngsters and the common man at large.
An elated Dr UR Rao, former ISRO chairman, points out that “no country had succeeded at its Mars mission this fast. Everything about our mission was correct. But then, this is just a beginning, we need to master more technologies.” Recalling how India’s space missions have always been cheaper, comparatively, he says, “Aryabhatta, our first satellite, was the cheapest with just Rs 3 crore spent.”
The odds in the way, he says, is not something he was worried about. “Once the project is approved, we go by what we think is right. There are reviews done and rigorous tests conducted inside. Once, it leaves the station, it’s no more in our hands,” adds 82-year-old Rao, who led the country’s space programme between 1984 and 1994. “People should know that there is so much to do in science. Nothing can stop if we set our mind to it,” he adds.
While the celebrations are yet to die down, Dr K Kasturirangan, former chairman, ISRO, describes it as an extremely important victory for India’s space programme and for science and technology. He says, “It also puts us in a unique league. When it comes to technology, we will have substantially higher than what we have now.”
“India is now a big economic power. And science and technology is a major driver as economy grows. It has to be remembered that all big economic powers have vibrant science and technology projects. We need to be so too,” he says.
There have been failures in our space missions. So how did this project become successful? “There are rules of the game. You have to be absolute professionals. The teams working on it are from different areas. Unless you orchestrate and come together, you cannot be successful. There should be consciousness and seriousness. Above all, it’s about taking nothing for granted as a small error can destroy the whole project.” As for the need to inculcate scientific temper in the young, he says, “the responsibility lies with us all.”
The ‘Mangalyaan’, which arrived in orbit after 300 days covering over 670 million kilometres, has left the generation next proud and beaming. Roger Joseph Lurshay, a student of St Joseph’s College of Business Administration, points out that it has become a hot topic in the college and the canteen. This mission is significant when you look at the fact that countries like the US and Russia had failed in their first attempt to Mars. While there is a large percentage of Indians working in the NASA, the fact that we could achieve something on our own is a matter of pride. This will boost other space missions of ours in the future.”
“For the young who lives on Bollywood and cricket, this mission may instill in them a desire to become an astronaut or a scientist. There will be a rise in the curiosity factor,” he adds. India stands in a big league now. Rao says, “Scientific knowledge cannot be improved by repetition of what others do. We should try to be as good as we can. There are people who say we are unnecessarily spending money on it. Ultimately, the utilisation of science is for humankind. Our communication satellites are the cheapest. Our satellites pictures are used by 18 countries. We make money out of it and that will continue. So we are giving everything back to our country,” he adds.
“We also need to develop new materials because it will go down to our day-to-day business, right to our kitchen. And again, sooner or later we have to get resources from Moon or Mars as we are running out of resources. Nobody talks about these things except in scientific circles. You should not depend on others for resources and wait for them to sell it to you,” he adds.
Well, the Bard did say long ago, “It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.”