SPACE India Commemorates National Space Day with a Virtual Panel Discussion
New Delhi : SPACE India orchestrated an exceptional virtual panel discussion to celebrate India’s inaugural National Space Day. This significant event commemorates the remarkable success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi heralded during his visit to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) headquarters in Bengaluru on August 26, 2023. By declaring August 23rd as National Space Day, the Prime Minister highlighted India’s outstanding strides in space exploration and its substantial impact on the global space science community.
The panel discussion featured a distinguished lineup of experts. The panelists included Ms. A. Dhanalakshmi, Joint Secretary at the Department of Science and Technology; Mr. Subash P. Kuppusamy, Founder of Brahmastra Aerospace System; Dr. J. Patrick Miller, Director of the International Astronomical Search Collaboration; Mr. Sireesh Pallikonda, VP of Business Development at Skyroot Aerospace; Dr. Rintu Nath, Scientist ‘F’ and Division Head – Publication & Information System at Vigyan Prasar, Department of Science and Technology; Prof. Sandip K. Chakrabarti, Director of the Indian Centre for Space Physics; and Dr. Sachin Bahmba, Founder of the SPACE Group. Their collective insights and expertise provided a rich and engaging discussion on India’s space achievements and prospects.
The discussion covered integral topics such as the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3, the importance of National Space Day, advancements in India’s space sector through missions like Chandrayaan-3, Aditya L-1, Mangalyaan and Prime Minister Modi’s call for scientific validation of ancient astronomical formulas. The session also addressed the essential role of space science education.
Ms. A. Dhanalakshmi (Joint Secretary at the Department of Science and Technology) delivered a compelling presentation on the social relevance of space technologies. It amplified the evolution of the Indian Space Program, the social impact of space technology, and other associated concepts setting a powerful tone for the discussion. In her remarks, she emphasized that space technologies have profound social relevance. They drive innovation and inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers. This discussion reaffirms our dedication to integrating these technologies into our societal fabric.
The session concluded with an interactive Q&A segment, allowing participants to engage directly with the experts and gain further insights into the future of space exploration and education.
“National Space Day isn’t just about celebrating our space achievements; it’s about how far we’ve come and our deep commitment to exploring the stars. It’s a heartfelt invitation for every Indian to join in this remarkable journey.”