India’s First National Space Day: 7 key things you should know
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India is celebrating its first National Space Day on August 23, 2024.
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Dr Vikram Sarabhai
Dr Vikram Sarabhai is celebrated as the father of the Indian space program. His visionary leadership and foundational work laid the groundwork for India’s space agency, ISRO.
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Aryabhata
The first significant milestone in India’s space journey was the launch of the "Aryabhata" satellite on April 19, 1975, from the Soviet Union.
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Dr APJ Abdul Kalam
Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, known as the "Missile Man of India," played a crucial role in advancing India's space and missile programmes.
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Dr Kalpana Chawla
Dr Kalpana Chawla, an aerospace engineer and astronaut, was the first Indian-born woman to go to space. She flew on the Space Shuttle Columbia and became an icon.
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Mangalyaan
India’s significant space programs include the Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan), which made India the first country to successfully reach Mars on its first attempt.
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National Space Day
The celebration of National Space Day will also spotlight India’s future space missions, including the Gaganyaan mission.
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Gaganyaan mission
Gaganyaan mission aims to send Indian astronauts into space, and other ambitious projects aimed at deepening India’s role in global space exploration.