Space technology is a field that involves applying engineering principles to create and operate devices and systems for space exploration and travel. This study area is crucial for spaceflight, Earth observation, and activities such as astronautics involving extraterrestrial exploration. The applications of space technology are vast, including exploring other planets, studying the universe, and providing various benefits, communication and navigation services for human activities.
India in Space Technology:
India's history of space technology dates back to the 1960s when the Indian Committee for Space Research was established. Since then, India has made significant strides in the field of space technology, particularly in agriculture, telecommunications, weather forecasting, and disaster management. With exceptional rocket technology advancements in propellant theory, rocket design, and more, Indian scientists have established themselves as leaders in the field.
Before independence, Indian scientists like S.K. Mittra, Chandrashekhar Venkata Raman, and Meghnath Saha conducted experiments on the ionosphere and contributed to the development of space technology. After independence, eminent scientists like Dr Vikram Sarasbhai and Dr Homi Jehangir Bhabha spearheaded organized space research in India.
Since then, India has established itself as a significant player in rocketry, with the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station becoming operational in 1963. The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) was also established at Sriharikota to give further impetus to space research programs in India. Vikram Sarabhai and Satish Dhawan played a major role in pioneering exploration activities by launching several satellites aimed at providing communication, meteorology, remote sensing, and direct-to-home television broadcasting.
India has achieved remarkable success with the launch of Aryabhata, India's first master satellite aimed at growing advanced technology in agricultural fields and weather forecasting, and Bhaskara I. India has also made further progress by launching its programs on INSAT, which helped grow nationwide direct-to-home telecommunications. Moreover, India has received a lot of appreciation from developed countries like the UK, USA, and USSR, who not only supported India but also helped introduce new knowledge.
Overall, space technology in India has been one of the biggest scientific successes, enabling India to compete with the rest of the world in providing the latest scientific experiments. With India's exceptional scientific capabilities, it is no surprise that the nation is poised to achieve even more significant milestones in space technology.
