Chandrayaan-3 and K Kasturirangan's Legacy
Chandrayaan-3 was scheduled to land on the Moon on August 23, 2023. K Kasturirangan, former chairman of ISRO, shared insights on the mission and ISRO's vision, despite his declining health. He passed away in Bengaluru at the age of 84 due to age-related complications.
Influence of Vikram Sarabhai
- Kasturirangan was deeply influenced by Vikram Sarabhai, considered the father of India’s space program.
- He completed his PhD in cosmic X-rays under Sarabhai at the Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmedabad.
- Sarabhai advocated for space technology as a tool for India's developmental needs, focusing on resource management, communication, education, and meteorology.
Evolution of ISRO's Space Program
- Sarabhai's successors, including Satish Dhawan, U R Rao, and Prof MGK Menon, continued his vision.
- ISRO focused on remote sensing, communication, broadcasting, and meteorology.
- By U R Rao's departure in 1994, many of Sarabhai’s visions were realized, leading to India's enhanced space capabilities.
Kasturirangan's Contributions
- He led ISRO from 1994-2003, initiating the Moon mission and discussions on human spaceflight.
- Named the lunar program ‘Somayaan’, later changed to ‘Chandrayaan’ by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
- Addressed challenges like international technology controls post-1998 nuclear tests and indigenized space technology.
- Managed ISRO through the infamous spy scandal.
Post-ISRO Career
- Served in the Rajya Sabha from 2003, appointed by the Vajpayee government.
- Joined the Planning Commission in 2009, under the Manmohan Singh government until 2014.
- Headed committees for major policy changes, including the Western Ghats ecology report and the New Education Policy.
Kasturirangan's leadership and vision have been pivotal in elevating ISRO to a competitive global space exploration agency, ensuring continued service to the nation through enhanced space capabilities.