INDIAN SPACE JOURNEY
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam’s contribution to Indian space journey
is immense. He was called a missile man
and some called him a nuclear scientist.
Hovercraft
This was the first project of Dr. Abdul Kalam in
Aeronautics Development
Establishment. A hovercraft was to be
designed to fly on a cushion of air. The prototype was designed to fly on an
air cushion of 40 mm with a weight of 550 kgs including tare weight. Many of
his colleagues doubted the feasibility of such a project. But Dr. Kalam and his
team proved the success of the project by actually flying the prototype as per
design. The then Defence Minister Mr.
V.K. Krishna Menon ignoring the objections of officials got into the aircraft
and flew in it. Dr. Kalam piloted the hovercraft. But the minister had to quit and others did
not give importance to this project. This caused disappointment to Dr. Kalam.
Rocket Assisted Take Off (RATO)
Dr. Sarabhai appointed Dr. Kalam as Project Leader for RATo
project. Dr. Kalam developed the system and successfully tested it on 8th
October 1972.
Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-3)
This project was taken up in ISRO as the first step towards
creating indigenous capability to launch satellites with its own technology.
Dr. Kalam was appointed as the Project Leader. It was an honour and a challenge
to him. Dr. Kalam was successful in it.
It propelled Dr. Kalam into the national scence.
Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP)
Dr. Kalam prepared this proposal under the guidance of Dr.
V. S. Arunachalam, the then Scientific Adviser to Defence Minister. This
programme consists of the design and development leading to production of the
missiles like Trishul, Prithvi, Akash, Nag and Agni
Dr. Abdul Kalam was awarded Padma Bhushan in 1981, Padma
Vibhushan in in 1990 and Bharat Ratna in 1997. He was affectionately called People's President. His passing away on 27th July 2015 is a great loss to the country.
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