JULY 21, 2019 • THE WEEK 21through television to remote parts of India that were then vastly un-
developed and illiterate. Today, that same vision has created NavIC
handsets, which help fishermen locate shoals and get information
of sea conditions. It has also helped do away with manned railway
crossings, the sites of many accidents. Railway Minister Piyush
Goyal recently noted that 2018 was the most accident-free year for
Indian Railways.
India’s self-reliance in space has a lot to do with having to go
it alone. Its GSLV programme was stalled when the US imposed
sanctions and even tried to stop Russia from helping. Russia did get
around to helping, but India managed to develop its own cryogenic
technology in the meantime. In fact, K. Sivan had a large role in
developing cryogenic engines. Russia’s exit from Chandrayaan-2
has resulted in the mission being totally desi.
While the development of space applications has seen a steady
growth, deep space explorations have been piecemeal and critics
say there is a lack of sustained vision. At the recent Observer Re-
search Foundation meet on space policy, Ajey Lele pointed out
the gap of 11 years between two moon missions as a case in point.
“Space exploration is one area where we have not really flexed our
muscles, but could perhaps do it once national priorities change,”
he said.
With plans for a Venus mission in the near future, as well as the
solar probe Aditya to be launched next year, perhaps the change is
happening. Fifty years on from Neil Armstrong’s moonwalk, India
is getting ready to make its footprint in deep space. This is important
not just for national pride, but to be among the pioneer nations to
establish outposts out there.STAR PRESENCE
Former prime minister
Indira Gandhi inau-
gurates the Thumba
Equatorial Rocket
Launch Station;
Vikram Sarabhai is
seen behind her
BOOSTER READY
The liquid core
stage (L110) of the
GSLV Mk-III rocket
is transported
to Sriharikota
for the launchCOURTESYISRO