ISRO celebrates diamond jubilee of first sounding rocket launch
29 Nov 2023 23:38:38
Today, at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), a momentous occasion was celebrated as ISRO marked its 60th anniversary of venturing into space.
The commemoration included the launch of the Nike-Apache sounding rocket from the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launch Station on November 21st, 1963. The ceremony was graced by the presence of Dr. Jitendra Singh, the Minister of Science and Technology, who inaugurated the event.
Leading the function was Shri S Somanath, Chairman of ISRO and Secretary of the Department of Space (DOS). Addressing the audience was Shri V Muralidharan, Minister of State for the Ministry of External Affairs. The gathering included esteemed guests such as Shri G Madhavan Nair, former Chairman of ISRO and directors from various ISRO centers (VSSC, LPSC, SDSC, HSFC, IPRC, and IISU).
An exhibition representing ISRO's Past, Present, and Future activities was held as part of the jubilee celebrations. Thumba's 2452nd rocket launch, a Rohini 200, gave a stunning touch to the ceremony. Dr. Jitendra Singh erected a diamond jubilee monument outside the launch control center, commemorating India's achievements in space exploration over the last six decades.
ISRO welcomed 60 children from various schools in the Thiruvananthapuram area for an interactive session with Chairman S Somanath to highlight the value of education. Furthermore, as part of a public engagement program, exhibits containing scaled models of launch vehicles were strategically placed in three prominent places across the city.
ISRO welcomed 60 children from various schools in the Thiruvananthapuram area for an interactive session with Chairman S Somanath to highlight the value of education. Furthermore, as part of a public engagement program, exhibits containing scaled models of launch vehicles were strategically placed in three prominent places across the city.
Chairman S Somanath declared during the ceremony commemorating 60 years of India's Space Odyssey that the diamond jubilee festivities will expand across several ISRO centers in the following months, culminating on National Space Day, which is held on August 23rd. The celebrations want to encourage the next generation of scientists and engineers to contribute to India's continuing breakthroughs in space exploration as well as to reflect on ISRO's glorious past.