Destination Moon: Book Review

Destination Moon: Book Review

 For all those who follow the Indian calendar systematically even the slightest changes in the direction and placement of Moon are of great significance. We celebrate several festivals and auspicious occasions based on the waxing and waning of Moon. Moon plays a special role in everyone’s life and people of all age groups are carried away by its beauty. Thus even scientifically the journey to moon has also symbolised the technological eminence of mankind. With first man setting foot on the moon as early as 1969 a new thrust and hope has been created for future space exploration.

The book Destination Moon was an humble effort by the science journalists Pallav Bagla and Subhadra Menon to lucidly describe the events that eventually led  to the space mission Chandrayaan-I. The prestigious project was steered to a great success by the concerted efforts of the scientists at ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) who worked diligently for thousands of hours discussing and improving their plans. Space related activities were started in early 1960’s in a small church at a place called Thumba in Kerela. The organisation is brain child of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, the father of Indian space Program.

India was a late entrant to the space technology. By the time we have even conceived the idea of space exploration developed countries like USA and Soviet Union vied with each other to put several satellites into the outer space. Though there were serious reservations and contentions about the need for space program from the initial days for a developing country like India, ISRO realised its prominence and went ahead with its project’s single minded and all the satellites developed were indigenous. Initial experiments failed but that didn’t deter the resolve of the scientists in excelling in the field. The failure rate stood at 10% which stood at internationally accepted number in such big projects.  ISRO is able to maintain high standards in its research due to openness and transparency, the two qualities must be emulated by all other scientific institutions of India. The institute is known for deliverance of its promises. It has unique reputation and credibility for the high levels of standards it maintains.

 The fundamental objective of ISRO is application of advance technology to cater the needs of the society. Hence two programs were designed to address this issue – Remote sensing for all the meteorological predictions and resource mapping for mapping the natural resources. The direct consequences of sending various satellites has enabled us to have a direct to home service, quick communication, better connectivity through internets and other programs like telemedicine etc have become a reality. These improvements have enhanced the quality of life of an average Indian.

Chandrayaan-I was viewed as a profligate mission when the idea was first conceived in 1995 following the success of the Pokhran. ISRO has come under severe criticism for its fascination towards thrilling and exciting science when nearly 300 billion people are below poverty line. In the midst of these disapprovals satellite orbiting the moon has been successfully launched in October 2008. A satellite was launched that orbits at a height of 100km from the lunar surface. It was a resounding success and has given impetus for future projects and now India is aiming at exploring the solar system. Through this mission ISRO aims at studying the origin of moon, mapping the lunar surface and understanding the lunar weather.

Future mission of ISRO is focussing on SRE (Space Recovery Experiment) which is crucial for developing a manned space vehicle. Earth’s environment, origin and its existence is greatly influenced by its nearest neighbours’ in the solar system. Hence, several ambitious programs of exploring Sun and Mars are on cards. Lunar atmosphere has reached legitimate levels of He-3 which is the main fuel in the nuclear fusion experiments. Efforts are on to utilise this as the energy source. There is no end to dreams, human aspirations and accomplishments too... so is the possibility of expanding the human exploration farther into solar system.

This book has also proffered the urgent need to create new excitement to drive the young into basic sciences and fundamental research. The lack of magnet or setting up new and exciting challenges is the greatest drawback for poor participation of the new generation into this realm of science. Finally the message by authors- “there is no rational explanation for human curiosity and the endless search it fuels”.

 

 

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