The Spark

On 15th February 2017, a significant chapter in space exploration unfolded as The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) orchestrated the remarkable "PSLV-C37" mission. The mission commenced with the precise deployment of Cartosat-2D, an Earth observation satellite designed to enhance India's understanding of its terrestrial domain. After this, it went into a series of orbits and released 103 co-passenger satellites within just 18 minutes, setting a new world record for the largest satellite constellation ever launched into space in a single mission*. The culmination of this endeavour not only showcased India's burgeoning prowess but also ignited a global conversation that thrust the nation into the forefront of the global space arena.

At the time, I was living in New York and vividly recall observing how the media broke the story. The coverage expressed a combination of astonishment, admiration, and acknowledgment of India's space capabilities, particularly in terms of the precision and cost-effectiveness showcased by this intricate mission. Central to the discourse was also it’s international significance with the co-passenger satellites belonging to a multitude of nations including India, the United States, the Netherlands, Israel, Kazakhstan, Switzerland, and the United Arab Emirates, painting a portrait of collaborative endeavour that resonated profoundly amongst a global audience. The media's spotlight, focused keenly on this unprecedented feat, accentuated the enduring and universal cultural force of SPACE, a force that effortlessly transcends borders and ignites the collective spirit of exploration.

The allure of SPACE, it seems, lies not only in its scientific mysteries but also in its symbolic resonance. 

It represents the ultimate frontier, an expanse upon which humanity projects its boldest dreams and aspirations. It symbolizes our innate yearning for discovery that has driven us to explore the unknown on Earth and now propels us toward the stars. Growing up with a constant stream of NASA's historical achievements portrayed in popular culture, I found myself wondering why my awareness of my own nation's space history was comparatively limited. This realization inspired us at BISKIT to delve into SPACE exploration from a fresh and distinct perspective, seeking to uncover the lesser-known facets of India’s space history. 

Series of Four Artworks

As ISRO's Chandrayaan 3 achieves what no other mission has accomplished before - conquering the uncharted frontiers of the high latitude, near polar region of the Moon (near the Moon’s South Pole), I felt it was the right time to reflect on India’s voyage into the cosmic realm through the lens of four artworks I created for our first concept, SPACED OUT. Each piece is a visual manifestation and celebration of one of India’s space missions whose stories sparked our imagination and acted as triggers to explore the concept of SPACE and a world on the brink of interstellar migration. 

1960s ISRO

To my surprise, one of the first things I discovered was that India's venture into space also dates back to the Space Race of the cold war era, a period characterised by intense rivalry between global powers such as the United States and the Soviet Union. During this time, the global space industry was witnessing rapid progress with the Soviet Union making history by launching the world's first artificial satellite, Sputnik, in 1957. One year later, The United States responded with the launch of Explorer 1 by the newly established National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), sparking the dawn of the space age. 

Against this backdrop, India, under the guidance of visionary scientist Dr.Vikram Sarabhai, recognised the importance of space technology for the country’s socio-economic development and established Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR). On November 21, 1963, it successfully launched a sounding rocket from the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS) in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, marking its maiden voyage into space research and exploration. However, it was on August 15, 1969, when INCOSPAR was restructured and renamed the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), that India formed an official government space agency led by Dr. Vikram Sarabhai himself, often regarded as the father of the Indian Space Program. 

1970s Aryabhatta 

During the early years of space exploration, India's space program was at its infancy compared to the well-established agencies of the United States, the Soviet Union, and a few other countries in Europe. However, from its inception through to the 1970s, ISRO continued to build its expertise in space technology and satellite development, which led to the country's first satellite, Aryabhata, named after the ancient Indian mathematician and astronomer. 

Launched in 1975 using a Soviet launch vehicle, the spacecraft was designed as a 26-sided polygon draped in solar cells on all sides except the crown and base. Equipped with instruments to explore X-ray astronomy, aeronomics, and solar physics, Aryabhata was a symbol of India's quest to unravel the mysteries of the cosmos. However, as often happens in the grand narrative of exploration, challenges emerged. A mere four days into its orbit, a power failure struck, casting a shadow over its scientific experiments and a day later, all communication with Earth ceased. Yet, despite the setback, Aryabhata’s legacy transcends its lifespan. It was a beacon of India's emergence on the global stage of space exploration.

* The launch of 104 satellites by ISRO surpassed the previous record of 37 satellites set by Russia's Dnepr rocket in 2014.

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Artwork # 1 - View of Mars / Aryabhatta

This work uses an image of Mars captured during ISRO's historic maiden mission to the Red Planet in 2013/14 (explored later in the essay) and juxtaposes it with the Aryabhatta, India’s first unmanned Earth satellite built in 1975. This piece simultaneously reflects two moments in time, acting as reminder of the distance the Indian Space Program has travelled since its first mission.

1980s Rakesh Sharma

The 1980s marked a transformative chapter in India's cultural narrative, as the realm of space transcended the confines of laboratories and observatories to become intricately woven into the fabric of its modern identity. This shift was triggered by a historic milestone that forever etched the concept of SPACE into the nation’s collective consciousness and imagination – the momentous journey of Rakesh Sharma, India's first astronaut, as he ventured into the expanse of space in 1984.

During this time, India was grappling with one of the most challenging years in its post-independent history. The aftermath of the Anti-Sikh riots, the devastation caused by the Bhopal gas tragedy, and an economy mired in inflation and external debt had left the nation deeply wounded. Indira Gandhi, the then prime minister, found herself in a state of urgency, seeking re-election in the upcoming general elections amidst a backdrop of unprecedented difficulties. Recognising the impact that space exploration had on fostering a sense of unity and inspiration among nations, the carefully orchestrated 1984 mission harnessed this galvanising effect for India. As the nation's global space ambitions resonated deeply with the dreams and aspirations of its own citizens, a palpable sense of shared purpose began to emerge and it succeeded in its mission.

While definitive evidence is lacking, the timing of the 1984 mission could be perceived as being as politically significant as it was scientifically groundbreaking – revealing the aspirational, optimistic, and symbolically powerful cultural stance that the idea of SPACE embodies. The stage was thus set for the nation's future endeavors, as the image of Rakesh Sharma looking back at Earth from the expanse of space served as a poignant metaphor for India's desire to rise above its challenges and reach new heights of achievement and exploration. 

For a broader perspective of the political, cultural and symbolic context of this mission and the artworks that it has inspired for our SPACED OUT collection, read our essay on Rakesh Sharma's 1984 mission. 

1990s Onward

Building on this momentum, the 1990s ushered in a surge of self-reliance and enhanced technical capabilities in ISRO’s space technology leading to rapid advancements in the subsequent years, highlighted by triumphant interplanetary missions to Mars (Mangalyaan) and the Moon (Chandrayaan). These ongoing missions underscore India's increasing expertise in space technology and its unwavering aspiration to delve into commercial and exploratory realms beyond our planet. 

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Artwork # 2 - ISRO 1984

This work brings together ISRO - Indian Space Research Organization – and 1984 – to mark the year India sent its first astronaut into space. The circular features of the eyes, nose, and mouth are taken from a portrait of Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian to travel to space.

Launched on 5 November 2013, Mangalyaan was ISRO's pioneering interplanetary mission with the ambitious goal of reaching and studying Mars. Missions to the Red Planet are considered extremely complex, requiring precise calculations and manoeuvres to reach and orbit successfully. Prior to this, only the United States, the Soviet Union (Russia), and the European Space Agency (ESA) had succeeded in sending missions to Mars. 

In this context of daunting challenges, Mangalyaan emerged as a resounding triumph, becoming the first successful maiden attempt to Mars and etching India's name as the first Asian nation to reach the Martian orbit and the fourth space agency in the world to do so.

This monumental achievement showcased ISRO's impressive growth since its inception.  

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Artwork # 3 - ISRO MOM

This work is a play on how the media covered the Mars mission. The phrase, “MOM SUCCESSFULLY ENTERS MARTIAN ORBIT” is taken from a direct press quote made in 2014.

Chandrayaan 1 

Chandrayaan 1, launched by ISRO on October 22, 2008, marked India's entry into the realm of lunar exploration. Designed primarily to orbit the moon, the mission yielded remarkable insights, notably the detection of water molecules on the lunar surface. This groundbreaking discovery significantly enriched our comprehension of the Moon's geological makeup and historical evolution. 

Chandrayaan 2 

Building upon the triumph of Chandrayaan-1, ISRO embarked on a more ambitious expedition in 2019 with Chandrayaan-2. This advanced lunar exploration initiative encompassed an orbiter, a lander named Vikram, and the Pragyan rover. The mission aimed to achieve a soft landing near the Moon's south pole, deploy a rover, and conduct scientific experiments to enhance our understanding of the Moon's mineralogy, and exosphere.

However, during the final stages of descent, with the Pragyan rover onboard, communication with the lander was lost, and it crash-landed on the Moon's surface. While the orbiter continues to provide valuable celestial data, the unsuccessful soft landing highlighted the challenges and complexities of lunar missions. 

Chandrayaan 3 

As India's latest foray into space, Chandrayaan 3 represents more than a mere sequel; launched on 14th July 2023, it emerges as a strategic response to the lessons learnt from Chandrayaan-2. By omitting an orbiter and refining the mission architecture, the primary emphasis this time is on achieving a soft landing and rover mission, with ISRO aiming for a singular goal: to make history by becoming the first space agency to successfully reach the lunar south pole. 

Why Does it Matter?

At the heart of Chandrayaan 3's significance is its bold choice of landing site. The south pole holds a treasure trove of scientific potential and curiosity that has captured the attention of space agencies worldwide. One compelling reason for targeting this region is the presence of water ice in the permanently shadowed regions of its craters. Water is a precious resource in space exploration, and its potential presence on the Moon could revolutionise future human missions and serve as a crucial stepping stone for deep-space exploration. 

With an expected landing date around 23rd August 2023, Chandrayaan 3 hopes to strike a bold chord alongside other pioneering lunar efforts from across the globe. One of its significant counterparts is China's Chang'e program, which made history as the first mission to land on the far side of the Moon on January 3, 2019. In this context, Chandrayaan 3 stands as a compelling response, showcasing India's determination to explore new frontiers and make a lasting mark in lunar exploration. 

Furthermore, this mission aligns harmoniously with the spirit of collaboration, notably with NASA’s Artemis program, an initiative aimed at landing "the first woman and the next man" on the Moon's south pole by 2025. This international effort to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon represents a collaborative milestone, where Chandrayaan 3's mission objectives converge with the broader aspirations of the global space community.

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Artwork # 4 - Wake up You Sleepy Head, We Have Landed on the Moon 

This work represents an abstract portrait of Rakesh Sharma in space with the geometric forms in the background representing floating pieces of space debris. It imagines India’s first Astronaut, looking back at Earth from the expanse of space announcing our arrival on the moon. 

Final Thoughts

In tracing the trajectory of India's space program, from its humble beginnings to its current status as a pioneer in the global space arena, we find ourselves marvelling at the journey it has undertaken. ISRO's evolution from limited capabilities to spearheading bold and ambitious missions alongside the world's foremost space-faring nations is nothing short of awe-inspiring. It feels we have come full circle in India's space odyssey – one that has seen us transition from followers to leaders. 

The landscape of space exploration has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years, marking a departure from the past, when agencies like NASA largely stood at the vanguard of space exploration. The future is likely to be a dynamic blend of government-led missions, private ventures and global cooperation. Just as the maritime explorers of the Age of Discovery reshaped the course of human history, our exploration beyond Earth holds the potential to reshape the destiny of our species. While the specifics of how this will play out remain uncertain, what is clear is the importance of India's continued presence at the forefront of this new age. 

Learning from past human behaviour, we must strive for responsible and collaborative exploration to ensure that space remains a realm of common global good, benefiting all nations and generations to come.