Committed people made Chandrayaan possible: Prof Menon

Chandrayaan was made by ordinary people who were committed to its cause,” said Professor MGK Menon, renowned scientist and distinguished professor at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

“Chandrayaan was made by ordinary people who were committed to its cause,” said Professor MGK Menon, renowned scientist and distinguished professor at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). He was addressing the Children Science Congress, 2008, at the Panjab University today. Menon talked about ISRO’s journey from its first satellite Aryabhatta to its latest accomplishment — Chandrayaan.

Briefing the students about the beginning of research on the universe, he said 1957 was the dawn of space age as there was increased solar activity during the year. The same year was celebrated as the International Geophysical Year all over the world.

He talked of the difficulties, landmarks and knowledge that his team acquired during the period which spanned over four decades. “In 1962, when ISRO started working on space, developing a satellite like Chandrayaan was unimaginable. During the early stages of our research, we lacked capabilities of building a satellite. Aryabhatta was built in a shed of tin. This made me believe that great institutes have small beginnings,” said Menon.

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Also credited to be the man behind Chandrayaan, India’s first unmanned mission to moon, Menon said that the satellite is one of the many landmarks the country has achieved. “The route to Chandrayaan was based completely on self-reliance and it was Indians who made it happen. We developed the capabilities of instrumentation, design and building the satellite ourselves and we pride in this fact,” averred Menon.

“Those associated with this mission are common persons like us. The only difference is that they have remained dedicated to their task. Each one of us has the capability of achieving such an impossible sounding goal provided we are focused, diligent and have the interest of the nation in mind,” Menon summed up.

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