Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
ISRO Scientist delivers talk on ‘Expedition to Infinity: India’s Quest to the Moon’ at CU
India emerged as major player in the global space exploration arena in recent years: ISRO Scientist
Babushahi Bureau
Mohali, August 24, 2024: With a series of groundbreaking missions, innovation and advancements in space technology, India has emerged as a major player in the global space exploration arena in recent years but still there is a long way to go and now is the time for exploration of new frontiers in space science, said Prateek Bansal, Scientist, Space Application Center, ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) while delivering a talk on the theme ‘Expedition to Infinity: India’s Quest to the Moon’ during National Space Day event at Chandigarh University.
Themed ‘Touching Lives while Touching the Moon: India’s Space Saga’, the University Institute of Science organized the event which was attended by Pro Vice-Chancellor, Academic Affairs Dr VK Mittal, Executive Director, Sciences Chandigarh University Dr Dattatri K Nagesha, Director University Institute of Science, Surjit Singh Chauhan and HOD Physics, Chandigarh University, Sanjeev Kumar.
Speaking during the event, Prateek Bansal, a renowned scientist from ISRO said, “First time in the history of space exploration, the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the south pole (darker side) of moon marks a significant stride that catapulted India to become a major player in space exploration worldwide. Following India’s phenomenal rise in space exploration, other space agencies in different parts of the world are coming to ISRO to collaborate for space projects now.”
Bansal added, “In recent years, India has developed a reputation for its cost-effective and efficient satellite launch services and clients from many countries are availing launching services provided by India. The cost of Russia’s lunar mission Luna was Rs 1600 crores as against India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission that only costed only Rs 615 crores. India has made significant strides and developing space technologies indigenously today; reliance on other countries have reduced. Moreover, cost of working is less in India as compared to other nations.”
“Now, apart from pushing the frontiers of deep space exploration further, ISRO is focusing on Gaganyaan mission and Chandrayaan-4 mission. Gaganyaan is India’s first human spaceflight that would launch crew members (manned or crewed spaceflight) to earth’s orbit. Testing and other modalities about the mission have already been worked out. Space nutrition and Materials are two important factors when it comes to space exploration missions. “When it comes to manner or unmanned spaceflights, reliability and safety are the two most important factors that need to be taken seriously,” he added.
Later, a panel discussion was held on the theme, ‘India’s Lunar Legacy: Chandrayan’s Impact on Global Space Exploration’ where experts including Prateek Bansal, Dr Dattatri Nagesha and Dr Sanjeev Kumar dwelt on various facets of space exploration and challenges of the realm of space science. Apart from the interaction amongst the experts, students attending the event also asked questions during the session to which former responded well.
Experts touched upon areas like Space junk, private players’ entry in space exploration arena, space exploration as soft power, factors of safety, quality and reliability in space missions, hazard detection, environmental control system, space material & nutrition among others. Experts said that apart from classroom learning, industry visits are must for students of space science.
Students can do internships and projects at ISRO using the technology and equipment there.In the end, a prize distribution ceremony held where winners (students) of three different competitions related to space science were given prizes.