10 Interesting facts about Vikram Sarabhai

CMA Dholpur

• December 22, 2022

Scientist, astronomer, and pioneer of space exploration, Vikram Sarabhai was also instrumental in India’s development of nuclear power. He was also the founder and chairman of the Space Applications Centre (1963–1971) and the chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission of India.

The Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), which is regarded as India’s birthplace of space sciences, was established by Vikram Sarabhai in 1947.  At his home, the “RETREAT,” PRL started out simply by studying cosmic rays. With assistance from the Karmakshetra Educational Foundation and the Ahmedabad Education Society, the institute was formally formed at the M.G. Science Institute in Ahmedabad on November 11, 1947. The institute’s initial Director was Prof. Kalpathi Ramakrishna Ramanathan. The study’s initial focus was on upper atmospheric characteristics and cosmic rays. Later, with funding from the Atomic Energy Commission, research areas were broadened to incorporate theoretical physics and radio physics. He was the head of the Sarabhai family’s commercial empire.

Here are the 10 Interesting facts about Vikram Sarabhai:- 

1. Internationally, Vikram Sarabhai is revered as the founder of India’s space programme.
2. In 1966 and 1972 (both posthumously), Vikram Sarabhai received the Padma Bhushan and the Padma Vibhushan, respectively.
3. By establishing the Indian Institute of Management, Vikram Sarabhai also played a significant influence in the advancement of management education in India (IIM).
4. Vikram Sarabhai brought laurels to India by being the Vice-President of the ‘Fourth UN Conference on ‘Peaceful uses of Atomic Energy’.
5. It was due to this that the first Indian Satellite, Aryabhata, was put in orbit in 1975 from a Russian cosmodrome.
6. He held many distinguished positions including the President of the Physics section of ISC in 1962 and the President of the General Conference of the IAEA, Vienna in 1972. 
7. He also served as the Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission of India from 1966 to 1971. 
8. He also initiated the Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR) in Kalpakkam
9. Sarabhai started a project for the fabrication and launch of an Indian Satellite
10.  The lander on India’s Chandrayaan-2 lunar mission, which was scheduled to come down close to the moon’s South Pole on September 20, 2019, was given his name, Vikram.