Who is Vikram Sarabhai? The Father of Indian Space Programme, ISRO

Vikram Sarabhai, celebrated as the "Father of the Indian Space Program," made major contributions to India by establishing space research groups and ISRO.

Early Life and Education

Vikram Sarabhai was born on August 12, 1919, in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, to a prominent industrialist family. He attended a school founded and directed by his parents and later went on to St. John's College at Cambridge University, where he earned a degree in Natural Sciences in 1940. When World War II broke out, he returned to India and began his research career in cosmic rays under Nobel laureate C.V. Raman at the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore. After the war, he went back to Cambridge and completed his Ph.D. in 1947.

Vikram Sarabhai Space Research Contributions

On November 11, 1947, Sarabhai established the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in Ahmedabad, transforming it into a leading research institute in India. He envisioned space exploration, which led to the creation of the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR) in 1962, later becoming ISRO. Under his leadership, India achieved a significant milestone in space ventures with its first rocket launch from Thumba (near Trivandrum) in 1963.

Dr. Sarabhai emphasized the role of space technology in national development, stating that India needed to use advanced technologies to address problems related to economic and social planning. His advocacy for a space program played a crucial role in gaining government support for key aspects of outer-space exploration that he deemed vital for an emerging nation.

Legacy and Honors

Vikram Sarabhai initiated or revised several institutions, including the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, and contributed to the establishment of the Community Science Centre for Exploration. 

He received numerous scientific accolades, such as the Padma Bhushan in 1966 and, posthumously, the Padma Vibhushan in 1972. In his honour, a part of India's space program is named the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, and the Vikram Sarabhai Journalism Award in space science was created to encourage science journalism.

Vikram Sarabhai passed away on December 30, 1971, but his vision and efforts continue to inspire scientists in India and around the world. His groundbreaking work advanced India's space technology and research, leaving an indelible mark on the country's history.

Tribute to Vikram Sarabhai

In honour of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai's 104th birthday on August 12, 2023, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) celebrated his significant achievements in the country's space program. At a period when India was severely financially constrained, ISRO emphasized Sarabhai's visionary contribution in founding the agency and promoting space research. His efforts resulted in the establishment of important organizations, such as the Physical Research Laboratory and Thumba, Kerala's first rocket launch station.

The official ISRO social media accounts posted statements paying tribute to Sarabhai's legacy and claiming that India's space technology accomplishments are a direct result of his outstanding efforts. The memorial serves as a reminder of his ongoing impact on the nation's space exploration programs and scientific community.