Mangalyaan launch as a teaching aid

Starting from the very first home built Aryabhata satellite, launched from Russia in April 1975, we have come a long way

October 01, 2014 09:49 pm | Updated May 23, 2016 06:38 pm IST

File photo shows the PSLV-C25 rocket carrying the Mars Orbiter Spacecraft blasting off from the launch pad at Sriharikota. Photo: K. Pichumani

File photo shows the PSLV-C25 rocket carrying the Mars Orbiter Spacecraft blasting off from the launch pad at Sriharikota. Photo: K. Pichumani

Mangalyaan, formally known as the Mars Orbiter Mission or MOM, is an absolutely glorious success, accomplished with clockwork precision. Prior to this was Chandrayaan, where our spacecraft circumnavigated the moon and the instruments that were put in it detected, among other things, traces of water in our moon.

These are two success stories that have made India sit on the high table of technologically advanced nations. Starting from the very first home built Aryabhata satellite, launched from the Volgograd launch station in Russia in April 1975, we have come a long way, and during these 40 years, we have launched over 50 such spacecrafts. Of these, over 35 satellites were launched by us from India for other countries including France, Germany, Canada, Israel and Singapore. As Dr Ajay Lele of the Institute for Defence Studies and Analysis, Delhi, points out, success of MOM will boost such commercial ventures for our Indian Space Research Organization or ISRO. And within India, ISRO has offered contracts to private and public sector companies, big and small, for its specific needs, thus promoting local technology development and employment opportunities.

When Doubting Thomases both from within and outside India talked about the needs and the costs involved in such space efforts, ISRO has been able to respond with each one of its satellites and their uses, not only to the hi-tech watchers, but how these have been used for helping the Aam Admi through remote sensing to weather forecasts, agricultural and fisheries production analysis, and to the school and college children through its distance education programmes through EduSat. Capacity building, and self reliance in high technologies have grown through such ISRO programmes, not just in defence and communications but also in everyday life — thus becoming a space technology-capable country.

There is another angle to this — advancing science and technology and engaging and enticing youngsters in schools and colleges and their parents, and promoting their career options. Recall that ISRO and the Space Commission have started doing this by broadcasting the inserting of the spacecraft into the orbit of Mars using Edusat TV. They have also started the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology at Valiamala, near Thiruvananthapuram, equipping undergraduate and postgraduate students in space education and research, along the lines of the IITs and IISERs.

This is also an appropriate moment for ISRO to organise regular sessions in schools across the country. These should be informal, in all languages, explaining how every aspect of space launch is an application of the law of sciences. Having parents present in such lecture- demonstrations would be valuable, since they too would like to know and to send their children to careers in science and technology.

Such lectures should be in everyday language, given by all, including the big bosses of ISRO and Space Commission, give away models, tools and kits, freebies like T-shirts, and offer field trips and to launch pads. They should start at the middle/ high school level and explain simple concepts such as 1) why do spacecraft and even planets take not a circular but elliptical path? Note Kepler in 1571 discovered this and how Newton’s laws explain this, 2) why did our Polar satellite Launch vehicle (PSLV) make Mangalyaan go around the earth for three weeks before it was allowed to escape the earth? Could we not have made and used a better launch vehicle? 3) Why was Chandrayaan looking for water in the moon and Mangalyaan for methane? 4) How does one detect these from space without taking samples from the moon or Mars, as students do by handling samples in science classes? Note how the French astronomer camped near Guntur on a total solar eclipse day (August 18, 1868) discovered helium gas in our sun, sitting and watching and analysing the light rays coming from the eclipsed sun.

These are simple questions and answers for secondary school children. As such sessions and interactions grow, more complex ideas can be discussed and answered, with students from higher classes, colleges and technology institutes.

MOM has shown us “yes, we can”. And fresh on its success, the time is ripe. After all, every mom teaches her children and cares for their future, assisting them in every way. So why should ISRO’s MOM not do so for all children across India?

Finally, Weekend Business Standard of September 27 reports on the offer made by Mr Leland Melsin of “Spaceship Earth Grants” (or SEG) of California, USA, who operates a privately operated sub-orbital spacecraft.

He wants people to apply for a spaceflight by writing a short summary of how they will use the experience to better themselves, their community or our planet. This should be followed by a 90 second video. SEG will award one spaceflight for every 50,000 applicants. So, hurry before the deadline date of December 31, by accessing www.spaceshipearthgrants.com.

Good Luck !!

D. BALASUBRAMANIAN

dbala@lvpei.org

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