JAY JOSHI
The much anticipated Chandrayaan-2 mission was launched successfully on Monday adding another feather in the cap of Indian space programme. This was the followup mission after Chandrayaan 1, and was launched from Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, using a Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) rocket.
While this news fills the whole nation with pride, is also has a slice for Goa, in that a number of Goan students also went to Shriharikota to witness the launch. Devansh Cholera and Paras Volvoikar from Panaji, Rajesh Koli from Ponda-all students of Goa Engineering College Farmagudi, and Muhammad Kaif from Vasco, a student of MES College, were at the site during the launch. Speaking on behalf of the group, Devansh Cholera shared their experiences.
“We decided to seize the opportunity at once because this is once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. India does a lot of satellite launches, but very few scientific missions. To the best of my knowledge, this is the country’s third scientific mission after Chandrayaan 1 and Mangalyaan Mars Orbiter Mission,” informed Devansh. The next big Indian space mission will be Gaganyaan, which will attempt to send Indian astronauts to space.
Laying out his observations during the journey, Devansh notes the stark contrast between ISRO campus and its surroundings in the town of Sullurpeta in Andra Pradesh which serves as the gateway to Sriharikota launch site. “The ISRO campus is like a city in itself, but when you come outside, the surroundings are comparatively underdeveloped. In fact, our taxi driver stated that the town usually has very little activity, but comes alive when there are launch programmes. At that time, people from all around India converge on the town for two to four days and its hotels and taxis are booked to the fullest!,” he states, adding that a special viewing gallery (aptly named Launch View Gallery) with a capacity of 5000 people has been constructed in the town to see satellite launches. In this manner, ISRO launches have in a way boosted the town’s economy, Devansh, who along with Muhammad Kaif, is a member of Association of Friends of Astronomy, comments.
“When Chandrayaan-2 was launched, there were an estimated 3000 people present to watch it, and a considerable number of the attendees (about â…“) were students from different parts of India. Interestingly, students from Tirupati who had to cover about half-an-hour’s distance to come here and see the launch were pleasantly surprised to know that we had come all the way from Goa to see the big event,” shared the mechanical engineering Goan student.
Elaborating on the launch, he stated, “When the rocket was launched, we saw that the flame coming out from the exhaust of the rocket was three to four times the size of the rocket itself. We were situated about six kilometres away from the main launch site, and still felt the sonic boom. The gust of wind that we felt was pretty strong, and we got goosebumps at that moment, when we realised what a historic moment we were witnessing.” He further adds that the event might have also sprouted a dream to one day work in ISRO. The Goan students are scheduled to come back to Goa today morning.
