New Delhi : India made a history in field of space science in 2014 as country’s Mars Orbiter Spacecraft successfully entered into an orbit around planet Mars to unravel Maritain mysteries. With this India became the only country to successfully send spacecraft to Mars in maiden attempt and that too at a cost of Rs 450 crores. The ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) became the fourth space agency in the world to have done this.
Another major feat which gave a big push to country’s manned space mission, ISRO tested an unmanned crew module along with the launch of India’s next generation launch vehicle GSLV Mk-III, which is expected to open commercial opportunities. The year saw two successful launches of GSLVs and five foreign satellites in the orbit.
ISRO’s 2015 agenda includes materialising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s wish of having a SAARC satellite that provides a full range of applications and services to all our neighbours. Consultations are in full swing in this regards with neighbouring countries.
To get services of senior scientists, the government announced that it is working to increase the retirement age of scientists to 62 years. In the biggest ever hike of nearly 50 percent, fellowship money received by various categories of young research scientists was increased. It will benefit one lakh researchers across the country.
Joining the global efforts to unravel space mysteries, the government approved India’s participation in the Thirty Metre Telescope (TMT) Project at Mauna Kea, Hawaii, USA at a total cost of Rs. 1299.8 crores from 2014-23. Cabinet also approved the acquisition of Polar Research Vessel (Ice-breaker, Research cum Supply Vessel) by the Ministry of Earth Sciences at a total cost of Rs. 1051.13 crore to explore changes happening in South and North Pole.