A historic step that establishes India as space power: Experts
PUNE: Elated, happy and proud, is how scientists in the city could best be described when they reacted to the launch of Chandrayaan 2, which made 135 crore people proud.
Former Indian Space Research Organisation director Suresh Naik said, “The launch of Chandrayaan 2 has underlined the fact that the vehicle GSLV is trustworthy to carry out such missions. India is one of the four nations in the world to have reached the Moon. Similarly, probing into the Southern Hemisphere of the Moon is a very important step as it might help us to know about the evolution of the Moon.”
Nehru Planetarium Director Arvind Paranjpye said, “it was a great feeling today. The way the launcher went up in the sky was a beautiful sight. The launcher went straight in a line as per the calculated mathematical equations. We at Nehru Planetarium shook hands and were happy when the launcher was set off. It was a mix of pride and happiness for the country.”
Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) Scientist Surhud More said, “It was a mixed feeling of happiness and anxiety. It was a proud moment for India and for ISRO too as it created the technology. But it does not end here. It would be more eventful and exciting to watch the next 40 to 46 days when the Orbiter makes a soft landing on the Moon, performs the functions and takes the scientific data.
“The launch has been delayed by nine days, but it will reach the Moon on the scheduled date. This is a great technical challenge. It was a giant leap for astronomy too as we have the machinery ready for any satellite launch,” he said.
More added that this step was historic as it will establish space power by India.
Former VC at SRTM University, Nanded and professor at Physics Department, Savitribai Phule Pune University Pandit Vidyasagar said, “It is a proud and happy moment. This has been a great achievement as the Indian scientists have made it happen.”
“Establishing of the international space station would be the next step besides taking mankind on the Moon. This achievement has instilled confidence as this technology is non-forgiving and it has to be correct all the time,” added Vidyasagar.
