Vikram Sarabhai facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Vikram Sarabhai
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Vikram Sarabhai in the US (1971)
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| Chairman of Indian National Committee for Space Research and Indian Space Research Organisation | |
| In office 1963–1971 |
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| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | M.G.K.Menon |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai
12 August 1919 Ahmedabad, Bombay Presidency, British India |
| Died | 30 December 1971 (aged 52) Halcyon Castle, Trivandrum, Kerala, India |
| Alma mater | University of Cambridge (BA, PhD) |
| Known for | Indian space program Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad |
| Awards | Padma Bhushan (1966) Padma Vibhushan (posthumously) (1972) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Physics |
| Institutions | Indian Space Research Organisation Physical Research Laboratory |
| Doctoral advisor | C. V. Raman |
| Doctoral students | Udupi Ramachandra Rao |
| Spouse | Mrinalini Sarabhai |
| Children | Mallika Sarabhai (daughter) Kartikeya Sarabhai (son) |
| Parent | Ambalal Sarabhai (father) |
Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai (born August 12, 1919 – died December 30, 1971) was a famous Indian scientist. He was a physicist and astronomer. He is known for starting space research in India. He also helped develop nuclear power in the country.
Many people call him the "Father of the Indian Space Program." He received two high honors from India: the Padma Bhushan in 1966 and the Padma Vibhushan in 1972 (after he passed away).
Contents
About His Life
Vikram Sarabhai was born into the well-known Sarabhai family in India. His father was Ambalal Sarabhai. His family were important business owners who supported India's fight for independence.
In 1942, Vikram Sarabhai married Mrinalini, a famous classical dancer. They had two children, a daughter named Mallika and a son named Kartikeya. Mallika became a well-known actress and activist. Kartikeya also became involved in science.
Vikram Sarabhai followed the Jainism religion. He studied at Gujarat College in Ahmedabad first. Later, he went to the University of Cambridge in England. He earned his degree in natural sciences there in 1940. In 1945, he went back to Cambridge to get his PhD. He finished his research on "Cosmic Ray Investigations in Tropical Latitudes" in 1947.
His Work and Contributions
Vikram Sarabhai started the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in 1947. This place is often called the "cradle of space sciences in India." PRL began in a small way at his home, which was called "RETREAT." There, he started researching cosmic rays.
The institute officially opened on November 11, 1947. It was located at the M.G. Science Institute in Ahmedabad. It received help from the Karmkshetra Educational Foundation and the Ahmedabad Education Society. At first, PRL focused on cosmic rays and the upper atmosphere. Later, it expanded to include theoretical physics and radio physics.
Setting Up Important Institutions
Sarabhai was a leader in his family's business group. He was interested in many things, from science to sports and statistics. He created the Operations Research Group (ORG), which was the first market research company in India.
He helped start many important institutions. Some of these include:
- The Nehru Foundation for Development in Ahmedabad.
- The Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA).
- The Ahmedabad Textile Industry's Research Association (ATIRA).
- The Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology (CEPT).
With his wife, Mrinalini Sarabhai, he also founded the Darpana Academy of Performing Arts. This academy teaches different types of performing arts.
Other projects and places he started include:
- The Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR) in Kalpakkam.
- The Variable Energy Cyclotron Project in Calcutta.
- Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL) in Hyderabad.
- Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) in Jaduguda, Jharkhand.
Starting India's Space Program
Sarabhai began a project to build and launch an Indian satellite. Because of his efforts, India's first satellite, Aryabhata, was launched into space in 1975. It was launched from a Russian cosmodrome.
He was also the founder of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). ISRO is India's main space agency.
His Death
On December 30, 1971, Vikram Sarabhai was in Trivandrum (now Thiruvananthapuram). He was going to check the design of the SLV (Satellite Launch Vehicle). He had just talked to A. P. J. Abdul Kalam on the phone. About an hour later, he passed away at the age of 52. His death was due to a cardiac arrest. His body was cremated in Ahmedabad.
Important Roles He Held
Vikram Sarabhai held many important positions during his life:
- President of the Physics section at the Indian Science Congress (1962).
- President of the General Conference of the I.A.E.A. in Vienna (1970).
- Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission of India (1966–1971).
- Vice-President of the Fourth UN Conference on 'Peaceful uses of Atomic Energy' (1971).
- Founder and Chairman of the Space Applications Centre (1963–1971).
His Legacy
Vikram Sarabhai's work and vision continue to inspire people. Many things are named in his honor:
- The Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) is named after him. It is ISRO's main center for developing launch vehicles. It is located in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
- He helped set up the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.
- The Indian Postal Department released a special stamp in his memory. This was on his first death anniversary, December 30, 1972.
- In 1973, the International Astronomical Union named a lunar crater "Sarabhai crater." It was previously called Bessel A, located in the Sea of Serenity on the Moon.
- The lander for India's Chandrayaan-2 moon mission was named "Vikram" in his honor. It was supposed to land near the Moon's South Pole in September 2019.
- The Vikram A Sarabhai Community Science Centre (VASCSC) in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, is named after him. He started this center around the 1960s.
- On August 12, 2019, Google's Doodle in India honored his 100th birthday.
- On his 100th birthday, August 12, 2019, ISRO announced a new award. The Vikram Sarabhai Journalism award will honor journalists. It is for those who write about space science, applications, and research.
- On September 30, 2020, ACK Media and ISRO released a book. It is called "Vikram Sarabhai: Pioneering India's Space Programme." It was released on ACK Comics digital platform.
See also
In Spanish: Vikram Sarabhai para niños
