HISTORY OF SPACE RACE

In 1947, just 2 years after World War II ended, something big was brewing between the United States and the Soviet Union. After the war, these two countries had become superpowers, but they were not face-to-face. They had different ideas about how things should be run, and this led to some serious tension. Think of it as an intense conflict between two superheroes, but instead of capes, they had different ways of thinking.

This clash of ideas led to the beginning of the Cold War, which is known as the Cold War. It was not immediately a war with bombs and guns, but a war of nerves and ideas. Both sides wanted to be highly prepared should things escalate, so they started working on something powerful: nuclear weapons. These weren't your ordinary weapons - they were more like supercharged bombs that could cause massive destruction. And to make matters worse, they wanted to be able to fire these bombs over entire continents. Imagine a superhero throwing a super bomb from one corner of the world to the other - that's the idea!

But here's the tricky part: To launch these super bombs over such great distances, they had to figure out how to propel them into outer space. It was like trying to fire a rocket to a whole new level. And both sides knew that whoever could master this space-shooting technique would have a huge advantage in this tense standoff. So, they rolled up their sleeves and raced to be the first to conquer space.

Flash forward to 1955 - The United States proudly announces that they are going to send special machines called artificial satellites into space. It was like they were trying to send out their superheroes to explore the unknown. but guess what? The Soviet Union was not going to lag. It was like two rivals in a race, each determined to win.

Then in October 1957, the Soviet Union did something incredible. They launched Sputnik - the world's first artificial satellite. It was like a shiny metal ball going up, up, up in the sky. It was a huge moment, like a history-making touchdown in a sports game. And to prove they were on the way, the Soviet Union launched another satellite called Sputnik 2, and this time, they sent a live creature along for the ride. can you believe it? A dog named Laika became the first astronaut. However, it was a bit sad, as Laika was unable to return home.

But America was not going to give up. In January 1958, they returned to the competition with their satellite called Explorer 1. It was as if they had joined the race of superheroes. The rivalry was so intense, and the desire to win so strong, that they were advancing space technology at an incredible pace.

So, imagine this: two super-powerful nations, both trying to outdo each other, reaching for the stars in a race to conquer space. It was a time of high spirits, fierce determination, and incredible progress. The world was watching, and the excitement was like a rollercoaster ride that just kept on rising!

Space Race Origin

Foundation of ISRO

Meanwhile, there was a scientist named Dr. Vikram Sarabhai in India who felt deeply inspired by the amazing progress made in space technology. Imagine that he is looking up at the stars and feels a fire burning inside him. The year 1957 brought something truly remarkable – the launch of Sputnik. It was like a spark that made Dr. Sarabhai realize how important space development could be for the development of the country. He saw the potential for greatness in exploring the unknown reaches of space. And by the end of 1961, he managed to convince Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru that India should have its own space program. This was the moment when the seeds of the Indian Space Research Organisation, ISRO were sown.

Initially, ISRO was called INCOSPAR (Indian National Committee for Space Research). It was like a newborn baby finding its feet in the world. Prime Minister Nehru established it under the Department of Atomic Energy. Dr. Sarabhai went on to lead it and that is why he is now affectionately known as the father of the Indian space program. In those early days, INCOSPAR didn't have much – not a lot of equipment, not a lot of money. This meant that you would see pictures of rocket parts strapped to a bicycle and pulled by a bullock cart. They even converted a church room into their control center and a regular old toilet in Bengaluru into a satellite data receiving center. They had to be creative and resourceful to make the job a success. But no matter the challenges, India's journey into space began with a mighty determination.

Fast forward to November 1963 – just a year after INCOSPAR came into existence – and something incredible happened. India launched its first rocket. This was no rocket for war, but a "sounding rocket", loaded with instruments to measure all kinds of things. It was like sending a rocket to talk to the sky and learn its secrets. In the beginning, these rockets were borrowed from NASA, like borrowing a friend's bike. But once our scientists understood this, we made our rocket called Rohini 75, and it flew into the sky on November 20, 1967. It was a moment of pure pride and achievement.

Then, on August 15, 1969 – a momentous day when India celebrated its 22nd year of independence – INCOSPAR got a new name: ISRO. It had grown from a committee into a real organization, ready to do wonders. Its goal was clear: to use space technology for the good of the country. And once again Dr. Sarabhai took the reins as its leader. Under his guidance, ISRO scientists worked tirelessly to make India shine in the field of space technology. In 1975, we launched our artificial satellite named "The Aryabhatta". It was a dream come true, even though Dr. Sarabhai was not there to see it – he had passed away in 1971. The next pioneer for ISRO was Dr. Satish Dhawan, a brilliant mathematician and aerospace scientist.

And you know what? ISRO got help from the Soviet Union for that first satellite launch. It was like a friend helping in a time of need. Then came the 1980s, the decade of breaking records. We built our satellite launch vehicle, saying goodbye to depending on other countries to launch our satellites. This vehicle named SLV-3 took the Rohini satellite into space. From there, ISRO worked on even more advanced launch vehicles, such as the Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV), the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), and the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) – fancy names for sending satellites for a special place in the sky.

In 1983, we teamed up with NASA once again to launch a series of communication satellites called INSAT. These satellites were like a network of space messengers, helping us to communicate through radio waves. Thanks to them, we can watch TV, get weather forecasts, and even receive warnings about dangerous storms. It is interesting how, when countries like the US and the Soviet Union were fiercely competing, India found friends in both space agencies. And in April 1984, we achieved something extraordinary – Indian Air Force pilot Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian in space. He traveled aboard the Soviet Union's rocket Soyuz T11 and spent an incredible 8 days in space as part of the Soviet Interkosmos program.

ISRO's journey for the next two decades was like a rocket taking off. In 2008, the Chandrayaan 1 mission created history by reaching the Moon. It was India's way of saying "hello" to our lunar neighbor. But the real breakthrough came in 2013 when we sent a mission to Mars. What else? We became the first country to reach Mars on the very first attempt. Imagine the glee and tears of joy! ISRO is now counted among the top space agencies in the world and India has earned a reputation as a space superpower. This Mars mission wasn't just monumental; It was also budget-friendly. It cost us only $74 million, a tiny fraction of what the others were spending. Some Hollywood movies cost even more!

So, there you have it - India's incredible journey to the stars. From the spark of inspiration to creating history on Mars, ISRO's story is one of dedication, collaboration and reaching for the stars, even when the odds seemed impossible.

How do ISRO's achievements compare with NASA's? Can ISRO compete with NASA? 

NASA and ISRO are like two starry-eyed dreamers with different paths but the same sky above. The story of NASA began in 1958, just four years before the birth of ISRO. Nevertheless, over the years, NASA has launched more than 1100 unmanned missions and more than 250 voyages. The grandest achievement was in 1969 when they sent brave souls to the moon. Imagine the thrill – Neil Armstrong took that iconic step during the Apollo 11 mission, marking humanity's first footprint on the surface of the Moon.

Today America stands alone in the achievement of sending a man to the Moon. In addition, his Kepler space telescope has uncovered realms beyond our solar system—planets that dance in distant galaxies. Remember, it is with NASA's teamwork that the International Space Station floats on the cosmic sea, a home for humans to live, work and experiment in the mystery of space. They have also sent clever rovers to the Red Zone of Mars. In 2015, the Curiosity rover made a historic touchdown and found evidence of water on Mars – liquid evidence of the potential for life. And let us not forget the recent sensation – the James Webb Space Telescope – launched by NASA, which is exploring the mysteries of the universe.

Now, why is NASA light-years ahead? The answer is twofold. First, it all started in 1958, when the Soviets took over. The rivalry inspired the US to launch NASA to catch up. That fierce space race spurred incredible innovations. Second, NASA's dreams are as vast as the night sky. His goal: to expand knowledge, increase human presence in space. It is this ambition to explore, research and experiment that has propelled NASA to greatness.

Enter ISRO, a different story. ISRO was not born out of competition or struggle. It was symbolic of India's aspirations for socio-economic progress. Imagine, it is like having bread on the table as well as having a desire to learn. While the missions of the two agencies may seem similar, NASA has its roots in rivalry, while ISRO's initial focus was on serving its nation. Broadcasting, building satellite networks for weather forecasting - it was all about uplifting the country. Later, Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan led ISRO toward exploration, but in the beginning, it was all about practicality.

Then there is the game of money. NASA's annual budget is about $32 billion, while ISRO gets about $3 billion under the Department of Space. It is like comparing a lavish feast with a modest meal. This financial gap means that NASA can send rovers to Mars, satellites to distant moons, and spacecraft to asteroids. ISRO mainly focuses on technology development and essential missions. It's no surprise that, with such a budget gap, NASA's infrastructure is more glaring.

But don't let the dollar signs fool you - ISRO holds its own. Efficiency, resourcefulness and cost-effectiveness are its secret weapons. Imagine NASA's solar mission in 2005 cost $600 million. Now, ISRO is preparing for a similar solar mission, Aditya L1, which cost only $50 million in today's currency. The ability to achieve the same mission at one-tenth the cost is astonishing.

And this is where ISRO shines - efficiency. He has left even NASA behind in counting every single rupee. For example, NASA's Venus mission returned about $1 billion combined. Now, ISRO is planning to take Shukrayaan-1 to Venus at an estimated cost of $60-120 million – a fraction of that cost. It is as if ISRO's recent frugal Mars mission has opened new frontiers of fiscal austerity.

In a cosmic journey, NASA and ISRO share the stars, ambition and desire to touch the unknown. The paths they take may be different, but the ultimate goal is the same - to embrace the universe and bring humanity along for the ride.

ISRO Upcoming Missions

Looking across the cosmic canvas, ISRO has three incredible missions, each a bright star in the night sky. Let's open up a universe of possibilities:

First, there is Chandrayan 3, ISRO's third mission to the Moon. You might remember Chandrayan 2 from 2019 - it tried to land, but its lander Vikram developed a problem and crashed. Now, Chandrayan 3 aims to succeed where its predecessor faltered. It is a second blow to the dream of a brave soul. Chandrayan 3 intends to slowly touch the Moon's South Pole and uncover lunar mysteries at every step.

ISRO mission update

Zooming in, Chandrayaan 3 is a trio of parts - a lander named "Vikram", a rover named "Pragyan", and a propulsion module. It rode on a spacecraft named LVM 3 or GSLV Mark III, a three-stage launch vehicle developed by ISRO. On July 14, 2023, it took off from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. What else? Chandrayaan 3's big moment is set for August 23 - a date written in the stars.

Then there's Gaganyaan - the big one, the dream of sending humans into space. Imagine that – humans flying beyond the periphery of the earth, aboard a spacecraft designed by ISRO. In the picture a team of three people orbits our planet for 5-7 days, the cost of this trip is More than 9000 crores. Almost everything for this mission is made in India - from the launch vehicle to the spacecraft and life support systems. It is a symphony of dedication and simplicity with a touch of international harmony. The space suits and training are in collaboration with the Russian space agency ROSCOSMOS and the French space agency, CNES. It is a global dance towards a shared dream.

If Gaganyaan's journey is victorious, India will join an elite club - the US, Russia and China - that have sent their astronauts into low Earth orbit. Imagine the pride, and the joy, when our tricolor is fluttering in the universe. Rakesh Sharma, the only Indian citizen to have gone into space so far, may soon get company. And speaking of pioneers, remember Kalpana Chawla? Born in India, she became an American citizen before traveling into space. It is a reminder that human achievements are beyond limits.

As the stars point, Gaganyaan moves in three phases – the unmanned Gaganyaan I and II missions, followed by the final, manned mission in 2024. Each step is like a footprint, a testimony to human courage and cooperation.

Aditya L-1 adds another dimension to the brilliance of ISRO. It is India's first mission to study the Sun, a quest to uncover the secrets of our shining star. Price tag? Approximately 380 crore - a testament to ISRO's ability to achieve great things with careful planning and creativity.

But the adventure doesn't stop there. Imagine visiting the planet Venus through Shukrayaan-1, a joint venture with various space agencies. And then there's the lunar polar exploration mission in collaboration with Japan's aerospace agency. A lander and rover, like cosmic pioneers, will visit the Moon's south pole in 2025. And not just this - even a Mangalyaan-2 mission is in the works.

Now, let's look at the longer-term future – 2030, to be precise. ISRO envisions an Indian space station, a celestial home for astronauts. It is a monumental dream, a testimony to the rising star of India.

The age of competition has beautifully transformed into the age of cooperation. This is not about ISRO vs NASA or any other agency. It is about all the other dreamers around the world apart from ISRO and NASA. Imagine space exploration as a global symphony, each note playing in harmony, each mission contributing to the grand pinnacle of human progress.

And as we look ahead, let us remember the Indian ecosystem that fueled ISRO's growth, the scientists who became the stars of our cosmic journey. Let's keep holding that torch, towards new horizons, and keep lighting the way for sky-touching dreams. The future is vast, the universe is limitless, and the spirit of exploration is always kindling.

The Fun Part

Finally, let's wrap up the story I shared earlier with a heartwarming twist. Remember how the US and the Soviet Union started out in the fierce space race? Well, hold on to your seats, because this story ends on a happy note.

As the years passed, something magical happened. Rivals became friends. By July 1975, the United States and the Soviet Union decided to move from competition to cooperation. It seems like they realized that when we approach the stars hand in hand, the stars shine brighter. That year, 1975, was a turning point, a moment when the rivalry faded away and a beautiful partnership developed. The space race has turned into a cosmic dance where two nations that once raced against each other are now marching together, sharing dreams and discoveries.

Imagine the significance of that moment – two stalwarts of the world stage, putting aside their differences and uniting for the greater good. It is a lesson the universe teaches us - that unity, understanding and shared dreams can bridge even the largest of gaps. And as we look back on that time, we must not forget that the stars not only inspired us to explore, but also served as a source of inspiration for us to come together as one human family, bound by a common curiosity for the universe.