Dr. Vikram Sarabhai: A Visionary and Father of Indian Space Program

 Every space enthusiast must know about the visionary behind Indian Space Program who was none other than Vikram Sarabhai. Below is the brief about his life and achievements.

                                                                                                      image from: NRSC website

Life of Vikram Sarabhai – The Father of the Indian Space Program

Early Life & Education (1919-1947)

• Born: 12 August 1919, Ahmedabad, India

• Family: Belonged to an affluent industrialist family; his father, Ambalal Sarabhai, was a noted businessman.

• Education: Studied at Gujarat College, then went to the University of Cambridge (UK) for further studies in physics.

• World War II Interruption: During WWII, he returned to India and worked with Indian scientists at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, under C.V. Raman.

Scientific Career & Contributions (1947-1971)

• Established the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) (1947): Considered the cradle of Indian space research.

• Founded ISRO (1969): He convinced the Indian government that a dedicated space program was essential for the country's development.

• First Rocket Launch (1963): Helped set up India's first rocket launch station in Thumba (Kerala), leading to the launch of India's first rocket.

• Laid Foundation for India's First Satellite (Aryabhata, 1975): Though launched posthumously, he initiated the project.

• Applications of Space Technology: Focused on using space technology for communication, meteorology, and rural development.

Other Contributions & Leadership

• Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission (1966): Took over after Homi Bhabha’s death, expanding India’s atomic research.

• Key Institutions Founded:

  • Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad

  • Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad

  • Fast Breeder Test Reactor at Kalpakkam

Death & Legacy

• Died: 30 December 1971, at the age of 52, in Kerala.

• Honors:

  • The Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in Thiruvananthapuram was named in his honor.

  • Padma Bhushan (1966) & Padma Vibhushan (posthumously in 1972).

• His Vision Lives On: ISRO's achievements, including Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan, are rooted in his vision of making India self-reliant in space technology.

Sarabhai’s contributions made India a global space power, proving that science and technology can drive national development.