A teacher from Bahona College in Jorhat has played a significant role in ISRO’s forthcoming Aditya-L1 mission, scheduled for launch on September 2 at 11:50 am.
Aishwarya Sharma, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics at Bahona College, has been appointed as a Joint Investigator Scientist for a crucial aspect of the Aditya-L1 mission. Her responsibilities include studying the data collected and transmitted by SUIT, a telescope integrated into the Aditya-L1 mission. Sharma has been actively involved in the Aditya Telescope project since 2015, where she serves as the Principal Investigator.
The Aditya-L1 mission, initiated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), represents India’s first space-based observatory-class solar mission. It aims to study the dynamics of the Sun and space weather. The launch of this mission is scheduled for September 2, and it marks a significant milestone in India’s space exploration endeavors.
This announcement is a source of pride for Assam and contributes to India’s growing presence in space research and technology, underscoring ISRO’s commitment to advancing scientific understanding and space exploration capabilities.
‘Masala dosa and filter coffee’: Formula behind ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3’s success
In a remarkable turn of events, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has once again captured the world’s attention with its latest mission, Aditya-L1, to explore the Sun. Just as India was celebrating the success of Chandrayaan-3’s lunar mission, ISRO embarked on this ambitious journey. What’s truly astounding is that ISRO achieved this feat on a budget significantly lower than blockbuster film projects, such as ‘Barbie’ and ‘Oppenheimer,’ and at roughly half the cost of the epic space film ‘Interstellar.’
Behind this monumental success are the humble heroes of ISRO, scientists who remain grounded despite their extraordinary achievements. They did not receive special privileges or financial incentives for their dedicated work on this special space project. Instead, their motivation came from a simple yet heartwarming gesture – a free masala dosa and filter coffee at 5 pm every evening.
Former head of ISRO, Madhavan Nair, highlighted their exceptional dedication, stating, “We spend only on essentials. Our scientists put in more effort than any other scientists in any other company – in India or abroad.” Venkateshwara Sharma, a mission scientist, revealed that the offer of masala dosa and filter coffee played a pivotal role in boosting morale and keeping the team motivated.
The Washington Post’s opinion piece shed light on the unsung hero, Sreedhara Somanath, whose leadership led India to its historic moon landing. The author emphasized that India needs more role models like Somanath, who represents a generation of gifted scientists achieving remarkable feats in challenging circumstances without seeking fame or fortune. Scientists’ humility and dedication continue to earn them respect, with instances like the ISRO chief boarding an Indigo flight as an ordinary passenger, garnering admiration and praise from the public.
Amidst a wave of recent triumphs in the realm of space exploration, including the remarkable Chandrayaan 3 soft landing and the groundbreaking Aditya L1 launch, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is basking in widespread admiration and support from all corners of India. In a heartwarming gesture, a young child from the neighborhood added to the accolades by presenting ISRO Chief S. Somanath with a meticulously handcrafted model of the Vikram lander.
The touching moment was shared with the world by P.V. Venkitakrishnan, an ISRO scientist, who took to the social media platform X to express the sentiment. He wrote, “ISRO Chief Sri Somanath today had a surprise visitor. A young neighbor boy has handed over his own-made Vikram Lander model to the ISRO chief on behalf of all the neighbors.” Such heartwarming interactions serve as a testament to the admiration and support ISRO enjoys within the local community.
This outpouring of appreciation is not confined to local gestures alone. ISRO scientists are being showered with accolades from various quarters. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in response to today’s successful Aditya L1 launch, extended his congratulations to the space agency via a message on the X social media platform. PM Modi conveyed his appreciation, stating, “After the success of Chandrayaan-3, India continues its space journey. Congratulations to our scientists and engineers at ISRO for the successful launch of India’s first Solar Mission, Aditya -L1. Our tireless scientific efforts will continue in order to develop a better understanding of the Universe for the welfare of entire humanity.”
