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Dr K Kasturirangan's contribution to Space Science and nation building

Dr K Kasturirangan's contribution to Space Science and nation building

Time of India27-04-2025

Professor Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan, or Dr. Kasuturirangan as he is fondly remembered as, was a remarkable leader, an accomplished scientist, and a transformative figure of our nation, who profoundly shaped India's space ambitions, educational framework, and showed the vision for the future. His life's journey, marked by an unwavering pursuit of knowledge and its application for the nation's advancement, has left an enduring legacy.
Professor Kasturirangan's early academic brilliance, culminating in a doctorate in Experimental High Energy Astronomy from the University of Bombay laid a strong foundation for his extraordinary contributions to space exploration. He received the doctorate degree in 1971 when he was working at Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad. During his tenure at ISRO Satellite Centre (now the U.R.Rao Satellite Centre), he was the Project Director for India's first two experimental earth observation satellites, BHASKARA-I & II.
One of his landmark contributions was the expansion of India's remote sensing program. Satellites like IRS-1C and IRS-1D launched during his tenure provided high-resolution data for use in agriculture, forestry, water resources, and urban planning. His vision helped bridge the gap between advanced technology and development, demonstrating how space science could directly benefit common public. During 1990s and early 2000s, played a leading role in building and strengthening global perspectives of space activities. As a key person at the ISRO's lead Centre for Satellite Technology, ISRO Satellite Centre, for more than two decades and finally as its Director during 1990-1994 had primary responsibility for establishing design, fabrication, qualification and integration methodologies and systems for all satellites and their subsystems.
His long and impactful association with ISRO saw him serve as Chairman and Secretary of the Department of Space from 1994 to 2003. This era witnessed significant progress and several major missions under his insightful guidance. He spearheaded the successful development and launch of vital satellite series like Indian National Satellite (INSAT) for communication and meteorology, and IRS for Earth observation. The space programme witnessed successful operationalisation of PSLV and flight testing of GSLV during his leadership.
Notably, India's first lunar mission, Chandrayaan-1, was conceived during his leadership, firmly establishing the nation in lunar exploration and yielding invaluable scientific insights. His steadfast dedication to developing indigenous technologies ensured India's growing self-reliance in the crucial space sector.
As an Astrophysicist, Dr. Kasturirangan's interest includes research in high energy X-ray and gamma ray astronomy as well as optical astronomy. He actively supported and driven the development and realisation of multi-wavelength astronomy mission, AstroSat right from the beginning.
Beyond his monumental achievements in space, Professor Kasturirangan's visionary outlook extended to education. He chaired the committee responsible for drafting the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, a pivotal policy aimed at revolutionizing India's education system. The NEP 2020, with its emphasis on holistic development, critical thinking, multidisciplinary learning, and the integration of technology, reflects his deep understanding of the evolving needs of students and the nation. His leadership in shaping this policy underscores his commitment to nurturing young minds and empowering future generations.
The policy's focus on early childhood education, foundational literacy and numeracy, and flexible higher education pathways stands as a testament to his comprehensive vision for an equitable and high-quality education system.
Apart from his scientific contributions, Dr. Kasturirangan played a vital role in shaping India's education and science policy. He chaired the committee that drafted the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020), a transformative document aimed at modernizing India's education system to make it more holistic, flexible, and aligned with the needs of the 21st century. The policy emphasizes early childhood education, foundational literacy, research, and multidisciplinary learning. He was the Member (Science), planning commission from 2009 to 2014 and instrumental in formulating the 12th Five year plan of total S&T sector of India.
Dr Kasturirangan also made a significant contribution to environmental conservation through his role as the Chairman of th high level working group on Western ghats, popularly known as Kasturirangan committee.
Professor Kasturirangan's influence extended far beyond space and education. He held significant positions such as Member of the Planning Commission, Member of the Rajya Sabha from 2003-2009 and Chairman of the Karnataka Knowledge Commission. In these roles, he consistently championed science, technology, and education, advocating for policies that fostered innovation and societal progress. His insightful contributions to policymaking across diverse sectors demonstrated his wide-ranging expertise and his unwavering dedication to national development.
His dedication and accomplishments earned him numerous prestigious awards, including the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan, India's highest civilian honors, as well as international recognition for his scientific and technological contributions. These accolades underscore the profound impact he had on India and the world.
In the Indian tradition, it is believed that the seeds sown by great individuals blossom into mighty trees, offering shade and sustenance for generations to come, thereby forming a rich ecosystem, and legacies down the line. Professor Kasturirangan's visionary work in space and education has indeed grown into such lofty trees, inspiring countless individuals to pursue careers in science and contribute to the nation's progress.
His indomitable spirit, characterized by unwavering determination and a relentless pursuit of excellence, will continue to energize future scientific endeavors in the country. Let us honor this great inspiration through our own sincere, relentless, and selfless hard work towards building a stronger and more prosperous India
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UPSC Key: Axiom-4 mission, Project Cheetah, and Tardigrades
UPSC Key: Axiom-4 mission, Project Cheetah, and Tardigrades

Indian Express

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UPSC Key: Axiom-4 mission, Project Cheetah, and Tardigrades

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Water bears have been known to withstand temperatures as low as minus 272.95 degrees Celsius or as high as 150 degrees Celsius; endure ultraviolet radiation of space and pressures of 40,000 kilopascals (equivalent to what can be experienced at a depth of 4 km under the ocean's surface); and live after being stored in a freezer for 30 years, according to a report by Front Line Genomics. • Tardigrades have been a part of space missions since 2007, when some 3,000 moss piglets hitched a ride to space aboard the European Space Agency's Foton-M3 mission. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍This Word Means: Water bears or tardigrades UPSC Prelims Practice Question Covering similar theme: (4) Consider the following statements with regard to Tardigrades 1. Tardigrades were discovered in 1773 by German zoologist Johann August Ephraim Goeze. 2. They have survived all the five major mass extinction events to have taken place thus far. 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Another challenge for domestic players would be to remain viable as China significantly cuts prices of rare earth magnets. • According to the US Geological Survey's January 2025 data, India held the world's third-largest rare earth reserves in 2024—estimated at 6.9 million tonnes— behind China (44 million tonnes) and Brazil (21 million tonnes). However, on the production front, India ranked seventh at 2,900 tonnes, well behind China (255,000 tonnes), Myanmar (43,000), the US (41,600), Australia, Nigeria, and Thailand. • In the January 2024 report, India ranked fifth in reserves. The latest revision reflects reduction in other countries' estimates—Vietnam's reserves were cut from 22 million tonnes to 3.5 million, and Russia's from 10 million to 3.8 million. Do You Know: • Rare Earth Elements (REEs) or Rare Earth Metals are a set of 17 chemical elements in the periodic table — the 15 lanthanides, plus scandium and yttrium, which tend to occur in the same ore deposits as the lanthanides, and have similar chemical properties. REEs are classified as light RE elements (LREE) and heavy RE elements (HREE). • The 17 Rare Earths are cerium (Ce), dysprosium (Dy), erbium (Er), europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd), holmium (Ho), lanthanum (La), lutetium (Lu), neodymium (Nd), praseodymium (Pr), promethium (Pm), samarium (Sm), scandium (Sc), terbium (Tb), thulium (Tm), ytterbium (Yb), and yttrium (Y). • Some REEs are available in India — such as Lanthanum, Cerium, Neodymium, Praseodymium and Samarium, etc. Others such as Dysprosium, Terbium, and Europium, which are classified as HREEs, are not available in Indian deposits in extractable quantities. Hence, there is a dependence on countries such as China for HREEs, which is one of the leading producers of REEs, with an estimated 70 per cent share of the global production. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Knowledge Nugget: Geopolitics and Minerals – What is the UPSC relevance of Rare Earth Elements? 📍China curbs on rare earth magnets: Electric Vehicle makers face shortage, approach govt UPSC Prelims Practice Question Covering similar theme: (5) With reference to the Rare Earth Elements, consider the following statements: 1. These are crucial for manufacturing high-value goods in defence and clean energy. 2. The United States dominated rare earth elements, supplying 85 to 95 per cent of the world's demand. 3. Gadolinium (Gd) and holmium (Ho) are considered Rare Earth Elements. Which of the statements given above are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for May 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at Khushboo Kumari is a Deputy Copy Editor with The Indian Express. She has done her graduation and post-graduation in History from the University of Delhi. At The Indian Express, she writes for the UPSC section. She holds experience in UPSC-related content development. You can contact her via email: ... Read More Roshni Yadav is a Deputy Copy Editor with The Indian Express. She is an alumna of the University of Delhi and Jawaharlal Nehru University, where she pursued her graduation and post-graduation in Political Science. She has over five years of work experience in ed-tech and media. At The Indian Express, she writes for the UPSC section. Her interests lie in national and international affairs, governance, economy, and social issues. You can contact her via email: ... Read More

Axiom-4 mission: Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's mission to ISS begins tomorrow. Check when and where to watch live
Axiom-4 mission: Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's mission to ISS begins tomorrow. Check when and where to watch live

Mint

time3 hours ago

  • Mint

Axiom-4 mission: Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's mission to ISS begins tomorrow. Check when and where to watch live

Indian Air Force officer Shubhanshu Shukla is set to create history by piloting the highly anticipated Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission to the International Space Station (ISS) tomorrow, on June 11. According to a NASA statement, Shubhanshu Shukla will pilot the agency's mission to the ISS aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft on June 11 from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Shukla's hometown of Lucknow is filled with posters wishing the local boy luck on his space mission, according to a Bloomberg report. In a post on June 9, the Indian Space Reserch Organisation (ISRO) said that the mission which was originally scheduled to be launched on June 10 (today), has been rescheduled to June 11 (tommorow) due to unfavourable weather conditions. 'Launch of Axiom-4 mission to International Space Station: Due to weather conditions, the launch of Axiom-4 mission for sending Indian Gaganyatri to International Space Station is postponed from 10th June 2025 to 11th June 2025. The targeted time of launch is 5:30 PM IST on 11th June 2025: Dr V Narayanan, Chairman ISRO/ Secretary DOS / Chairman Space Commission,' it wrote. The Ax-4 mission is set to launch at 8 am ET, which for Indian viewers is 5.30 pm IST on June 11. Most live streams will begin at least two hours before the launch. The Axiom and SpaceX twitter accounts, will likely post live updates and videos on their official pages. You can also watch video livestreams on the NASA website or NASA+ app from 4.55 pm IST. Axiom Space YouTube page will also livestream the launch. SpaceX will likely post a livestream on its X page. He will have the distinction of being the first Indian in history to visit the ISS and the second Indian in space after astronaut Rakesh Sharma's voyage aboard the USSR's Soyuz T-11 mission in 1984. Notably, Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian to travel to space under the Soviet Interkosmos programme. Now, 41 years later, Shubhanshu Shukla, will be part of a four-member crew comprising Commander Peggy Whitson of the US, Mission Specialist Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski of Poland and Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu of Hungary. The team will spend 14 days at the ISS. The BB report noted that this mission marks the 'opening act' in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's space ambitions for India — with plans including a crewed space mission by 2027, a crewed lunar mission by 2030, set up India's own space station by 2035, and land an Indian astronaut on the surface of the moon by 2040. Notably, in 2023, ISRO successfully landed a robotic spacecraft near the moon's south pole.

Shubhanshu Shukla educational qualification: From IISc to a historic NASA-ISRO space mission
Shubhanshu Shukla educational qualification: From IISc to a historic NASA-ISRO space mission

Time of India

time4 hours ago

  • Time of India

Shubhanshu Shukla educational qualification: From IISc to a historic NASA-ISRO space mission

Shubhanshu Shukla's journey from NDA to NASA-ISRO collaboration on Axiom Mission 4 Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Shubhanshu Shukla's journey from NDA to NASA-ISRO collaboration on Axiom Mission 4 Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Shubhanshu Shukla's journey from NDA to NASA-ISRO collaboration on Axiom Mission 4 1 2 Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is all set to make history as the first Indian astronaut to spend 14 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS). His upcoming journey is a milestone for India, coming 41 years after Rakesh Sharma's spaceflight and marking the first time an Indian citizen will live and conduct experiments on the ISS. Shukla's educational and professional background has been crucial in shaping his path from the National Defence Academy (NDA) to the prestigious Indian Institute of Science (IISc), and now to an extraordinary NASA-ISRO collaboration. Born in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Shukla's early fascination with aviation and space began at a young age. His academic journey is a testament to his dedication and expertise, starting with his Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from the NDA. He later pursued a Master of Technology in Aerospace Engineering at IISc Bengaluru, equipping himself with the necessary scientific and technical knowledge to excel in aerospace and defence fields. His education laid a solid foundation that propelled him into the Indian Air Force (IAF) as a combat and test pilot, and now, an astronaut representing India on the global stage. From NDA to Indian Air Force and beyond Shubhanshu Shukla joined the NDA in 2003, embarking on a rigorous military education that included physical and academic training. His journey into the Indian Air Force began in 2006 after commissioning, where he gained over 2,000 hours of flying experience on multiple fighter aircraft, including the Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier 228, and An-32. Known for his skills as a test pilot and combat leader, Shukla's experience and training at NDA played a vital role in shaping his leadership and aviation expertise. In 2019, Shukla was selected for India's ambitious human spaceflight programme, Gaganyaan, which involves sending Indian astronauts into space aboard indigenous spacecraft. As part of this mission, he underwent advanced astronaut training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre in Moscow and later at the Indian Astronaut Training Facility in Bengaluru. His education at IISc further enhanced his understanding of aerospace engineering principles, vital for coping with the scientific and technical challenges of space travel. A historic collaboration with NASA and ISRO Shubhanshu Shukla's upcoming mission, Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), is a unique venture involving NASA, SpaceX, and ISRO. Originally scheduled for launch earlier, the mission is now set to depart from Kennedy Space Center aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft. Alongside Shukla, the crew includes mission commander Peggy Whitson from the U.S., and astronauts from Poland and Hungary, marking an international collaborative effort. The mission will see Shukla spend up to 14 days aboard the ISS, during which he will participate in seven experiments. These include studies on the germination of fenugreek and mung seeds in microgravity, conducted in collaboration with ISRO and India's Department of Biotechnology (DBT). The goal is to investigate how microgravity affects plant growth and to develop sustainable food production systems for long-term space missions. Additionally, Shukla will conduct experiments jointly with NASA, expanding scientific knowledge crucial for future space exploration. Personal dedication and preparation Shukla's dedication extends beyond his professional achievements. Married to Dr Kamna Shukla, a dentist, he balances family life with his demanding career. He maintains a keen interest in physical fitness, science literature, and even horoscopes, reflecting a curious and disciplined mind. His extensive astronaut training has included international collaboration, with sessions at the European Space Agency's astronaut centre in Germany and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency in Japan, preparing him for the complex environment aboard the ISS. The Axiom Mission 4 is not only a milestone for India but also a testament to Shukla's remarkable journey from his humble beginnings in Lucknow to becoming a key figure in the global space community. His educational qualifications from NDA and IISc have been the pillars supporting his ascent into space, embodying India's growing prominence in human spaceflight through collaborations with NASA and ISRO. As the countdown continues for the launch from Kennedy Space Center, all eyes are on Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla – a symbol of India's dreams reaching new heights, grounded firmly in education, training, and international partnership. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.

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