MOM taught us much: ISRO chief

Malabar Chamber of Commerce officials presenting a memento to K. Radhakrishnan, Chairman of ISRO, at a meeting to honour him and the Mangalyaan team in Kozhikode on Sunday. Photo: S. Ramesh Kurup

The Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) of India, powered by smart satellites, has shown the world the way of doing things differently without making any sacrifice on the quality aspect in the space mission, Chairman of the Indian Space Research organisation (ISRO) K. Radhakrishnan has said.

He was speaking at a reception accorded to him and other MOM team members by the Malabar Chamber of Commerce (MCC) at the Hi-LITE City auditorium, here, on Sunday.

Lauding the painstaking efforts taken by the ISRO scientists in the fruition of the dream mission, Dr. Radhakrishnan said the entire nation witnessed a sense of pride among its citizens after the MOM.

People’s participation

People from different walks of life, too, felt that they were contributors to the mission at a different level, he said.

To help research

Explaining that the purpose of India was not just to show the outer world its space capabilities, Dr. Radhakrishnan said the Mission was actually for helping people in the modern era and open doors for newer research activities.

He said it was the successful space missions pioneered by the country that equipped it to predict natural calamities on time.

Referring to some of the most important techniques used to reap success in the Mars mission, Dr. Radhakrishnan said the smart satellites used by the country in the project could set new heights in the area.

“It automatically took over the control of the command systems when possibilities of timely human interventions were minimal at a very long distance. The technology would be useful for the country in several other developing areas,” he said.

Optimum use

Addressing the function, P. Kunhikrishnan, Project Director of Polar Satellite launch vehicle (PSLV), said the main attraction of India’s Mangalyaan mars mission was the optimum use of resources for a big mission.

“Along with the country’s leap in the space mission, it largely fuelled the scientific spirit among the youngsters,” he said.

S. Arunan, Project Director of the MOM, said India scripted history in several areas after the successful completion of Mangalyaan.

First attempt

“It was our first attempt within a limited time by utilising optimum resources including money,” he said.

C. Mohan, president of MCC, presided over the function. Secretary M.A. Mehaboob and other members of MCC were present.