Chennai, February 19th, 2023: India’s first hybrid sounding rocket by private players was successfully launched from Pattipulam village, Chengalpattu district, Tamil Nadu today. Dr (Smt).Tamilisai Soundararajan, Honorable Governor of Telangana and
Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry (Addl. charge) was the chief guest for the event.
Padma Shri Dr. Mylswamy Annadurai, Former Distinguished Scientist of Indian Space Research. Organization (ISRO) & Director, ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC), Programme Director for IRS&SSS (Indian Remote Sensing & Small, Science and Student Satellites); Dr. Anand Megalingam, Founder and CEO SpaceZone India Private Limited; Dr.Rtn M.LeemaRose Martin, Managing Trustee, , Martin Foundation; Dr. Jose Charles Martin, Managing Director, Martin Group of Companies; Dr APJM.Nazema Maraikayar and niece of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam & Managing Trustee, Abdul Kalam International Foundation – House of Kalam Rameswaram; ShAPJMJ Sheik Dawood and Sh APJMJ Sheik Saleem, Grand Nephews of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam and Co -Founders, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam International Foundation – House of Kalam Rameswaram were the guests of honour.
The selected students designed and constructed a student satellite launch vehicle (rocket) and 150 PICO satellite research experiment cubes that contained different payloads. The reusable rocket was made by the selected top 100 students, while the rest made the satellites. The rocket can be used for research in weather, atmospheric conditions and radiations.
Martin Foundation in association with Dr APJ Abdul Kalam International Foundation and Space Zone India successfully completed the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Satellite Launch Vehicle Mission 2023.
More than 3500 government school students from grades VI to XII from across India participated in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. This included 200 students from the fishermen community in Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry, 100 students from tribal community across India and 60 from Tamil Nadu.
While Mumbai Municipal Corporation sponsored 20 students, Nagpur Municipal Corporation pitched in for 10 students. Mrs. Aanchal Sood Goyal, I.A.S, Parbhani district, Maharashtra sponsored 50 government school students. The selected students learnt not only about satellite technology but also learnt more about Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
Dr. Smt. Tamilisai Soundararajan congratulated Martin Foundation, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam International Foundation and Space Zone India for having given an enriching experience to the government school students.
“Dr. Jose Charles Martin (Managing Director – Martin Group of Companies) I am elated to be part of this ambitious mission. This is certainly a great opportunity for students. Now that they have been exposed to the space sciences, they can think about career options in this sector. I wish India gets more space scientists. My heartfelt best wishes to all the students and their supporters who have made this possible,” she said.
Dr. Mylswamy Annadurai addressed the students and asked them to explore the opportunities available in the satellite industry. “Congratulations on the grand launch of first hybrid sounding launch. The dream of like-minded people has made this mission a success. For India to emerge a global leader in space sciences, more young and vibrant minds must embrace this field,” he said.
Dr.Rtn M.Leema Rose Martin, Managing Trustee, Martin Foundation thanked the distinguished guests who were part of the launch. “Our team efforts have borne fruit today and I am extremely elated. The students exhibited great enthusiasm to get trained in space sciences. We are thinking of doing more such programmes from now on, for the benefit of more students.”
In his address, Dr Anand Megalingam, Founder and CEO, Space Zone Private Limited, congratulated the students on the successful launch of the rocket. “The students grasped the concepts so easily and their enthusiasm to learn new technology certainly needs an applause. Ably guided by professionals, the students worked tirelessly to make this possible,” he said.
Dr APJM.Nazema Maraikayar, niece of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam & Managing Trustee, Abdul Kalam International Foundation – House of Kalam Rameswaram expressed her happiness at taking forward the rich legacy of APJ Abdul Kalam. “As a family member, this is a proud moment for me. Kalam dreamt about providing equal educational opportunities to all and we have taken a small step towards realising his dreams. More hands should come together to curate similar events and work towards making India’s space programme robust and all-inclusive.”