Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Launching of Astrosat is another feather in ISRO’s cap' that was published in Newsband

Launching of Astrosat is another feather in ISRO’s cap

Indian Space Research Organisation deserves to be congratulated for their successful launch of the space observatory, Astrosat, thus putting India in a select group of countries that have a space telescope to study celestial objects and processes. The space observatories are important to unravel celestial mysteries. With Astrosat, Indian researchers will no longer have to rely on other space agencies for X-ray data,

As in the case of Chandrayaan-1 and the Mars Orbiter Mission, Mangalyaan, the Astrosat telescope will have no immediate commercial or societal implications. But the instruments have been carefully chosen to allow scientists to pursue cutting-edge research. Besides providing an opportunity to build world-class instruments, Astrosat will present an ideal platform for Indian researchers. It is the biggest achievement of our country. Now our country has become capable in the study of astrophysics.

Our space-based observatory is a great achievement in more than one sense: (1) Indian astronomers & astrophysicists will have their own instruments for study & research, and to that extent they become less dependent on the West. (2) With space-based telescope etc, what were hitherto unknown are likely to become known, and this will add to the fund of reliable knowledge. The new knowledge may, in some way, in future, help us in our struggle for existence. (3) We can demonstrate to ourselves that our scientists are not inferior to any in the West: This boost in self-confidence is important for a developing country like India. (4) When we can see for ourselves what we achieve here and now -- and when others also acknowledge it -- there will be no need to concoct mythological fairytales (5) There is no such thing as "Western" or "Eastern" science: Scientific methodology has no national boundaries; it is universal.

The question that bothers some Indians is that when we can go to this extreme of placing an observatory in space, do we not have the capability or expertise to make drones, which we intend to buy from Israel? We are badly in need of inventing downright land telescope to discover some priceless mines in our own historical lanes which will enable India to drive away poverty and make India a rich human resource country. Drones can only create fear among its citizens rather than safety in the current global scenario.

Anyway, ISRO and Indian scientists are making the Nation proud. This is a great moment for India. Astrosat is a very good example of coordinated efforts by and cooperation among various institutions of India with ISRO in lead. Undoubtedly a great achievement!