How India Conquered Space: From Bicycles to the Moon, Mars & Beyond | Vantage with Palki Sharma

Summary

The story of India's space journey is one of ambition, resilience, and innovation. From humble beginnings in 1962 with ISRO's launch at Tumba, India has defied global skepticism to achieve groundbreaking milestones, including the first interplanetary mission to Mars in 2013, and landing on the moon’s south pole in 2023. Despite limited resources, India’s space program has redefined space exploration, proving that ambition, not budgets, drives success. With plans for a space station and lunar missions in the future, India is on its way to becoming a global space superpower, fueled by government support, private innovation, and unwavering determination.

Takeaways

• 😀 India entered the space race in 1962 with the formation of ISRO, showing that ambition, not money, drives success in space exploration.
• 😀 Vikram Sarabhai, the founder of ISRO, selected Tumba in Kerala as the launchpad for India's space ambitions, marking the country's entry into the space race.
• 😀 India's first rocket launch in 1963, using a Nike Apache rocket, was a success, despite the modest resources and support.
• 😀 In 1969, ISRO evolved from Incospar to the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), solidifying its role in India's space future.
• 😀 The 1984 mission with Rakesh Sharma becoming the first Indian in space marked a major milestone in India's space journey, symbolizing national pride and resilience.
• 😀 ISRO’s success continued with the development of advanced rockets, including PSLV, which became the workhorse of the organization.
• 😀 Despite global skepticism, India’s 2008 Chandrayaan-1 mission confirmed the presence of water on the Moon, propelling India's space reputation.
• 😀 India achieved a historic feat with the Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) in 2013, becoming the first country to succeed in its first attempt to reach Mars.
• 😀 The 2019 Chandrayaan-2 mission attempted a soft landing on the Moon, while Chandrayaan-3 in 2023 successfully became the first to land on the Moon’s south pole.
• 😀 In 2025, Shubhanchu Shukla became the second Indian astronaut to go to space, marking another important moment for India’s growing space industry.
• 😀 India’s space economy, valued at $8.4 billion in 2025, is on a rapid upward trajectory, aiming for 8% of the global market share by 2033 with ambitious plans for the future.

Q & A

What inspired India's space program to begin in the 1960s?

India's space program was driven by the ambition to establish global influence despite limited financial resources. The Cold War rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union pushed countries to explore space, but India, under Vikram Sarabhai's leadership, showed that willpower and determination could achieve space goals without excessive spending.

Who was Vikram Sarabhai, and what role did he play in India's space program?

Vikram Sarabhai was one of India's greatest scientists and the driving force behind the creation of India's space program. He founded the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR), which later evolved into ISRO, India's space agency. Sarabhai chose Tumba as the launch site for India's early space missions.

What was India's first rocket launch, and what was its significance?

India's first rocket launch took place on November 21st, 1963, from the Tumba launch pad in Kerala. The rocket was a 715 kg Nike Apache, which was made in America and carried a French payload. The successful launch marked a significant achievement for India's nascent space program.

When did INCOSPAR become ISRO, and why was this transition important?

In 1969, on India's Independence Day, INCOSPAR officially became ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization). This transition allowed India to push the boundaries of space exploration with more structure, clarity, and self-reliance, marking the beginning of its growth as a major player in space research.

What was the significance of the launch of the Arabut satellite in 1975?

The Arabut satellite, launched in 1975, was a major milestone for ISRO as it marked India's first satellite. Although launched aboard a Soviet rocket, the satellite was designed and built by ISRO, demonstrating India's growing capabilities in space technology.

How did Rakesh Sharma become the first Indian in space, and what was his famous reply?

Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian to go to space in 1984 as part of a joint mission with the Soviet Union. He spent 7 days, 21 hours, and 40 minutes in space. When asked by a Soviet interviewer how India looked from space, Sharma famously replied, 'Saare Jahan Se Achha' ('India is the best in the world'), a patriotic reference to a famous Indian poem.

What challenges did India face while developing cryogenic engines, and how did ISRO overcome them?

India faced significant challenges in developing cryogenic engines, which are essential for building advanced rockets. After failed negotiations with Japan and Europe and objections from the US, India decided to develop its own cryogenic technology. In the early 2000s, ISRO successfully created its own cryogenic engine, achieving a major technological milestone.

What was the significance of India's Chandrayaan-1 mission in 2008?

Launched in 2008, Chandrayaan-1 was India's first moon mission and marked a significant achievement. It orbited the moon at a height of 100 km and confirmed the presence of water in lunar soil, a groundbreaking discovery that excited the global scientific community.

How did India achieve success with the Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) in 2013?

India's Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan), launched in 2013, was India's first interplanetary mission. India successfully inserted the spacecraft into Martian orbit on its first attempt, making it the first Asian country and the fourth in the world to achieve this feat. The mission cost only $74 million, making it the cheapest interplanetary mission ever.

What was the global reaction to India's achievements in space, particularly after the Mangalyaan mission?

Despite India's success with Mangalyaan, many in the West were dismissive, mocking the country for pursuing space exploration while facing poverty. A New York Times cartoon, which ridiculed India's success, sparked outrage worldwide. However, India remained undeterred, continuing to prove its capability with further space missions.

What is India's space program's future outlook, and what milestones are set for the coming decades?

India's space program has ambitious plans for the future, including the Gaganyaan mission in 2027 to send humans to space, the establishment of the Bhartiya Anarish space station by 2035, and plans to send an Indian to the moon by 2040. With increasing government support, rapid technological innovation, and private sector involvement, India is poised to become a major space superpower.