ELANGOVAN RAJAGOPALAN

Former ISRO Scientist, Ex Colleague of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam

1. HOW HAVE YOU WITNESSED ISRO'S GROWTH AND EVOLUTION FROM ITS EARLY DAYS TO BECOMING A PROMINENT PLAYER IN THE GLOBAL SPACE COMMUNITY? 

ISRO's growth, as I see it, is primarily attributed to its indigenization capability from the sounding rocket stage to the cryogenic stage. During the sounding rocket phase, the United States supported India's first launch in 1963 with the "Nike Apache." However, after two trials, the US denied crucial components, prompting India to develop its own composite technology.

A similar situation unfolded with Russia when, due to pressure from the US, Russia refused to transfer cryogenic technology to India. India persevered, ultimately developing its indigenous cryogenic engine.

For the Chandrayaan 3 mission, India initially planned for the USSR to design and deliver the lander. However, due to continuous delays in the USSR's Lunar 25 program, India had to develop its own lander.

India is now collaborating with Japan on the Chandrayaan 4 (LUPEX) program, where India is responsible for developing the lander, further showcasing its growing presence in international space endeavours.

2. ARE THERE ANY PERSONAL ANECDOTES OR STORIES FROM YOUR TIME AT ISRO THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE?