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Vikram Sarabhai

About Vikram Sarabhai

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Who was Vikram Sarabhai

Vikram Sarabhai was an award-winning physicist, industrialist and innovator. Considered the Father of the Indian space programme, Sarabhai is also credited with establishing Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro).   Born to wealthy industrialists in the city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat on August 12, 1919, Vikram Sarabhai earned his doctorate from Cambridge University. During his time at Cambridge, he studied cosmic rays and published many research papers on it. After returning to India, he founded the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in Ahmedabad on November 11, 1947, when he was 28 years old. After PRL, Sarabhai set up the Space Applications Centre in Ahmedabad, and guided the establishment of Isro.   What led Vikram Sarabhai to found Isro?   After the launch of Russia’s Sputnik satellite, Sarabhai felt the need for India to have a space agency as well. He convinced the Indian government to start the Indian National Committee for Space Research (Incospar) programme with the following quote:   "There are some who question the relevance of space activities in a developing nation. To us, there is no ambiguity of purpose. We do not have the fantasy of competing with the economically advanced nations in the exploration of the moon or the planets or manned space flight. But we are convinced that if we are to play a meaningful role nationally, and in the community of nations, we must be second to none in the application of advanced technologies to the real problems of man and society."   His vision and commitment led to the establishment of Inscopar during the Nehru government. It was later re-christened the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro).   Major contributions of Vikram Sarabhai in the field on space and science   Vikram Sarabhai helped Homi Bhabha set up India's first rocket-launching station, which was built in St Mary Magdalene Church near Thiruvanathapuram. The first flight was a sodium vapour payload and was launched on 21 November 1963.   Sarabhai started a project that would lead to the building of India’s first artificial satellite orbiting the earth. Launched in July 1976, the Aryabhata was launched four years after the death of Sarabhai on the Kapustin Yar, a Russian rocket.   He set up India's first market research organisation that aimed to apply modern analytical research to meet the needs of clients. The organisation was called Operations Research Group.   Setting up of the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM-A)   Vikram Sarabhai spearheaded the establishment of the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM-A).   Dance Academy   Sarabhai married world-renowned classical dancer Mrinalini Sarabhai in 1942. The classical dancer and innovator-scientists together established the Darpana Academy of Performing Arts in Ahmedabad.   Most important institutions founded by Vikram Sarabhai
  • Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad
  • Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad
  • Community Science Centre, Ahmedabad
  • Darpan Academy for Performing Arts, Ahmedabad (along with his wife)
  • Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram
  • Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad (formed by merging six institutions established by Sarabhai)
  • Faster Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR), Kalpakkam
  • Variable Energy Cyclotron Project, Calcutta
  • Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL), Hyderabad
  • Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL), Jaduguda, Bihar
Vikram Sarabhai's death   Sarabhai passed away on December 30, 1971, at the age of 52. He died in a hotel room in Kerala after witnessing the launch of a Russian rocket and laying the foundation stone of the Thumba railway station earlier the same day.   Vikram Sarabhai's legacy   — A crater on the moon was named in his honour in 1973 by the International Astronomical Union in Sydney, Australia.   — On July 22, 2019, Isro launched the first lander-rover module from India to travel and land on the moon and study it. The lander carrying the rover was named Vikram. The Vikram lander is scheduled to touch down on the lunar surface on September 7 of 2019.   — The Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, (VSSC), which is Isro's lead facility for launch vehicle development located in Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), is named in his memory.   — Indian Postal department released a commemorative postal stamp on his first death anniversary (30 December 1972)   — Space Science Day is observed in India every year on 12 August   — He was a recipient of the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize

Latest Updates on Vikram Sarabhai

What is Vikram S: India's first private satellite vehicle set for launch

India will launch its first privately developed rocket, Vikram S, from the ISRO's launchpad at Andhra Pradesh's Sriharikota between November 12 and 16

Updated On: 11 Nov 2022 | 6:53 PM IST

Meet Shanmuga Subramanian: The Chennai techie who helped find Vikram debris

Shanmuga Subramanian, who made the discovery said, 'It was something challenging as even NASA can't find out so why can't we try out?'

Updated On: 03 Dec 2019 | 11:07 AM IST

Vikram had hard landing; NASA releases images of Chandrayaan 2 landing site

Vikram was scheduled to touch down on September. 7. This event was India's first attempt at a soft landing on the Moon

Updated On: 27 Sep 2019 | 10:02 AM IST

Hopes fading on re-establishing link with lander Vikram: ISRO scientists

Chandrayaan-2's 27-kg rover is a six-wheeled robotic vehicle named Pragyan, which translates to 'wisdom' in Sanskrit, and is housed inside the lander

Updated On: 10 Sep 2019 | 2:10 PM IST

ISRO says Chandrayaan 2 lander Vikram located, attempting contact

Vikram, the lander, was lost when it was attempting a "soft" or controlled landing near the south pole of the moon

Updated On: 10 Sep 2019 | 2:14 PM IST

Chandrayaan 2: Partial success, ISRO should be proud of what it's achieved

It's important to note that the odds were against anybody pulling off a soft landing at the first attempt

Updated On: 10 Sep 2019 | 2:19 PM IST

Chandrayaan-2 launch was deferred as ISRO lost contact with GSAT 6A in 2018

The GSAT 6A setback had prompted ISRO to recall the launch of GSAT-11 from Kourou in French Guiana for additional technical checks

Updated On: 10 Sep 2019 | 2:23 PM IST

The best is yet to come in our space programme; India is with you: PM Modi

PM Modi also said that the country's determination to land on the moon has become even stronger

Updated On: 10 Sep 2019 | 2:26 PM IST

Isro loses touch with Chandrayaan 2 lander; PM Modi says hope for the best

Experts said that it would not be right to predict the fate of the mission without an official announcement

Updated On: 10 Sep 2019 | 2:26 PM IST

Chandrayaan-2 manifests the best of Indian talent, will benefit nation: PM

Lander Vikram is scheduled to go on a powered descent between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. tomorrow. Touchdown likely between 1:30 a.m. and 2:30 a.m.

Updated On: 10 Sep 2019 | 2:25 PM IST

Chandrayaan 2 LIVE: Learnings from today will make us better, says PM

After losing communication with the lander last night, PM Modi tweeted that he will address the nation at 8 am today.

Updated On: 07 Sep 2019 | 8:53 AM IST

Chandrayaan 2's journey from ideation to the cusp of landing: A timeline

The India's second moon mission Chandrayaan-2 has gone through a long journey dotted with many events in close to 12 years since being conceived in 2007

Updated On: 10 Sep 2019 | 2:29 PM IST

Chandrayaan-2: A timeline of India's mission to the moon in pictures

Here's a list of the all the major events that happened in Chandrayaan-2's journey from an idea to a successful mission

Updated On: 07 Sep 2019 | 2:40 AM IST

Mission Chandrayaan 2: Vikram, Orbiter extend good wishes to each other

The Lander Vikram of Chandrayaan 2 is named after Dr Vikram A Sarabhai, the father of the Indian Space Programme

Updated On: 06 Sep 2019 | 3:50 PM IST

VSSC recruitment 2019: How to apply for 158 technician apprentice posts

VSSC recruitment 2019: Interested candidates should visit the VSSC for the interview, which will be conducted by the Board of Apprenticeship Training (BOAT). All you need to know

Updated On: 16 Aug 2019 | 7:50 AM IST

Chandrayaan II to be indigenous mission with 'minor' US help

In its Chandrayaan Mission I, ISRO was able to make the important discovery of water on the earth's sole satellite

Updated On: 06 Sep 2019 | 8:20 PM IST