Today , 12/08/2021 , Indian Space Research Organisation has scheduled its space programme of launching Geo- Imaging Satelitte , Gisat -!.
ISRO has scheduled today, 12/08/2021, being the 102 birthday of the “ Father of India’s Space Programme “ Mr. Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai. His contribution to our space programme was “ immense”. It is unfortunate the entire nation has forgotten him.
Born in a business family in Gujarat on 12/08/1919, he studied in Gujarat College Ahmedabad , before going to Cambridge University for post graduation in “natural science”. He was awarded Doctorate for his thesis “ Cosmic rays in tropical latitudes” in 1947. While leading his family business conglomerate he started several prestigious institutions which are actively involved in today’s ISRO projects. He founded
- Physical Research Laboratories , Ahmedabad in 1947. This institute is called the “ Cradle” of space science in India.
- Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.
- Ahmedabad Textile Research Association
- ISRO
- Fast Breeder Test Reactor , Kalpakkam
- Aryabhata project.
- Community Science Centre , Ahmedabad , now named as Vikram A Sarabahi Community Science Centre.
- Space Application Centre , Ahmedabad
- Uranium Corporation of India
- Electronic Corporation of India Hyderabad.
He has held several prestigious positions in
1 President of physics section of Indian Science Congress 1962
- President of the General Conference of International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna 1970
- Chairman Atomic Energy Commission of India 1966-71
- ,Vice President of fourth UN Conference on peaceful use of atomic energy
- Founder chairman of Space Aplication Centre 1963- 1971
In recognition of his contribution to space technology the following were named after him,
- ISRO complex in Tiruvananthapuram is named Vikram Sarabhai Space centre
- Postal commemorative stamp in 1972
- International Astronomical Union named the lunar crater “ Bessal” in the sea of Serenity as “ Sarabhai Crater” in 1973.
- The moon lander of Chandrayaan II named as “Vikram” 2019
