From humble beginnings to Chandrayaan, ISRO’s story enters classrooms

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): School children of the country will now read the inspiring story of the struggle and success of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) in their books. The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has released a special module on the glory story of ISRO, which includes historical achievements like Chandrayaan, Mangalyaan and Gaganyaan, from carrying rocket parts on bicycles and bullock carts in the 1960s.

Titled 'India: An Emerging Space Power', the module is designed for students of two levels – middle and secondary. It aims to introduce the new generation to India's space journey and highlight the contribution of scientists who established the country as one of the global space powers.

The journey started with a bicycle and a bullock cart

The module highlights the interesting fact that India's first rocket was so small and light that bicycles and bullock carts were used to transport its components to the launch pad. Scientists did this because the electric and magnetic fields generated by motorised vehicles like cars or trucks could damage the rocket's delicate instruments. The use of this simple mode of transport kept the instruments safe.

Key missions and astronauts involved

To familiarise students with the successes of India's space journey, this module specifically covers ISRO's major missions. It begins with the 2008 Chandrayaan-1 mission, which astonished the world by detecting the presence of water on the moon for the first time. This is followed by the historic success of Mangalyaan (2013), which gave India the distinction of being the only country to reach Mars in the very first attempt. Also, India's first space observatory, Aditya-L1 (2023), to study the mysteries of the Sun, has also been given a place in this list.

In addition, the module also features Indian astronauts, including Squadron Leader Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian to go to space in 1984, and Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who will become the first Indian to live on the International Space Station in June 2025. The module also includes a quote from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in which he has described the space program as an integral part of India's daily life.