Mysuru: The Cosmology Education and Research Training Centre (COSMOS) of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), in collaboration with University of Mysore (UoM), celebrated the first National Space Day at Vijnana Bhavan, Manasagangothri. The maiden National Space Day commemorates the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the Moon on Aug. 23, 2023.

Jayasimha, Project Director at UR Rao Satellite Centre (URSC), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), delivered a lecture titled “The Journey of the Indian Space Programme” in Kannada.

He began his talk with an overview of ISRO’s history, emphasising the visionary contributions of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai and the founding of the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL).

He shed light on the selection of Thumba as the initial launch site for ISRO, explaining its strategic location along the Earth’s Magnetic Equatorial line, which offers uniform magnetic flux, making it ideal for the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS).

Highlighting ISRO’s global standing, Jayasimha underlined that ISRO is among the top space agencies worldwide, boasting full operational capabilities across the Space Segment, Transport Segment, and Ground Segment.

He elaborated on various types of spacecraft, including Communication, Remote Sensing and Special Missions, detailing their vital roles. The development of India’s first satellite, Aryabhata, was also discussed, alongside the significant contributions of engineers and scientists like Prof. U.R. Rao, Aravamudham, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and C.R. Satya.

He further highlighted how space-based technologies have revolutionised everyday life in India, impacting sectors like Agriculture, Communication, Weather Prediction, Fishing, and Entertainment, proving indispensable in the modern era.

He even provided insights into India’s scientific spacecraft, including Astrosat, SRR, the Chandrayaan series, Aditya L1, and the Mars Orbiter Mission, explaining their contributions to expanding scientific knowledge.

Science writer Kollegala Sharma felicitated Jayasimha on behalf of COSMOS-Mysuru, IIA. This was followed by prize distribution to winners of Science Fiction Writing contest and Shoot for the Moon competition, conducted by COSMOS-IIA as part of National Space Day.  N. Amoghavarsha, Project Associate of COSMOS-IIA, expressed gratitude to all participants, students, staff and media for making Space Day a success.