With a string of high-profile successes in recent years, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has firmly established itself amongst the front-ranking space agencies of the world. It is now engaged in cutting edge space science and research, in planetary explorations, as well as in development and deployment of new space technologies.
It was not always like this. Till very recently, India used to be ridiculed for its space ambitions. It faced technology sanctions multiple times, which delayed its space programmes.
Its successes were often acknowledged only for being cheaper than the competition. ISRO was said to be just reinventing the wheel, not doing anything original.
But, as the successes of the last few years have shown, none of this could prevent India’s emergence as one of the most advanced space-faring nations of the world. The successes have also been able to change the global perception of ISRO. The US, which at various times in the past had denied critical technologies to ISRO, now has entered into a strategic partnership on space with India. Just last month, the two countries launched a unique and ambitious joint mission that will result in the most sophisticated satellite-based imaging of the Earth.
Space is one rare technology sector where India can legitimately claim to be one of the front-runners. This, despite the fact, that the space establishment of India has operated with limited resources, both in terms of capital and manpower. But how did this happen? Are ISRO’s capabilities really at par with space agencies of the US or China? What are the challenges that ISRO faces as it embarks on even bolder missions in the coming years? Are there learnings from ISRO for other technology sectors?
To discuss these, and other related issues, The Indian Express has invited Dr Mila Mitra for an Explained.Live event on Wednesday. An astrophysicist, Dr Mitra worked as support scientist on several satellite missions at NASA.
She is the co-founder and academic head of STEM & Space, an education company that works to popularise science, particularly space sciences, among school children. Dr Mitra will be in conversation with Amitabh Sinha, editor, climate and science, at The Indian Express.
