Dr S Somnath, the Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), recently highlighted the significant impact that investments in the space program have had on society. Speaking at a program on ‚Creating a Space Ecosystem: A New Era-Igniting Young Minds for Space Exploration,‘ Dr Somnath emphasized that the investments made in the space program have not only benefited society but have also created numerous job opportunities for people, both directly and indirectly.
According to Dr Somnath, a recent study commissioned by ISRO aimed to measure and understand the exact impact of the investments made in the space program. The study revealed that the space program has played a crucial role in creating support systems for various sectors such as agriculture, crop forecasting, natural resources planning, disaster avoidance, and even for fishermen. The chairman also highlighted the job creation aspect, stating that lakhs of people have found employment opportunities through the space program.
One of the recent achievements of ISRO was the successful launch of the Earth Observation Satellite (EOS)-08 onboard the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV)-D3 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. This launch was met with praise from External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who commended ISRO for opening new possibilities for low-cost space missions and greater international collaboration.
The primary objectives of the EOS-08 mission include designing and developing a microsatellite, creating payload instruments compatible with the microsatellite bus, and incorporating new technologies required for future operational satellites. This mission marks a significant advancement in satellite mainframe systems, with the introduction of the Integrated Avionics system known as the Communication, Baseband, Storage, and Positioning (CBSP) Package.
ISRO is also gearing up to celebrate National Space Day on August 23rd. This day has been declared by the Union Government to commemorate the success of the Chandrayaan-3 Mission, which achieved a safe landing of the Vikram Lander and deployed the Pragyaan rover on the lunar surface near the South Pole. The celebration of this achievement aims to engage and inspire the younger generation in the field of Space Science and Technology.
In conclusion, the investments made in the space program by ISRO have not only benefited society but have also created job opportunities and support systems for various sectors. The recent achievements of ISRO, such as the successful launch of EOS-08 and the upcoming celebration of National Space Day, highlight the organization’s commitment to advancing space exploration and technology for the betterment of society.