A Rohini (RH200) sounding rocket was launched today from the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS) at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) as part of the World Space Week celebrations.

More than 2,500 people, including students and members of the public, gathered at Thumba to witness the launch.

World Space Week is being celebrated from October 4 to 10 under the theme “Rocket Revolution”, jointly organised by the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), ISRO Inertial Systems Unit (IISU) and the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), under the Department of Space, Government of India.

The celebrations were inaugurated on October 6 at LPSC, Valiamala, by Dr. Sanjay Behari, Director of the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST). He delivered a lecture on “Transformations in Bioastronautics”.

The inaugural function was attended by Dr. Rajeev U.P., Director, VSSC; Shri N. Jayan, Director, LPSC, Valiamala; Shri Joji J. Chaman, Director, IISU; Dr. Deepankar Banerjee, Vice-Chancellor, IIST; Dr. Jayakumar M., Deputy Director, VSSC; and Shri Ajith B., Alternate Chairperson of the organising committee.

As part of the celebrations, interactive online and offline lectures led by scientists from the four centres are being organised to foster scientific awareness and interest in space science among school students across Kerala. The state-level inauguration of this initiative was held on October 6 at Dr. A.M.M.R. HSS, Kattela, Thiruvananthapuram. Dr. Deependran B., Associate Director, VSSC, inaugurated the programme.

Dr. Jayakumar M., Deputy Director, VSSC; Shri Arun Kumar Y.D., school principal; Shri Ravikumar K., headmaster; and Shri Anand P.M., Alternate Chairperson of the Lecture at Schools Committee, attended the function.

On October 7, Dr. Anand Narayanan, Professor at IIST, delivered a lecture on “The Great Search for Alien Worlds” at IISU. Shri Joji J. Chaman, Director, IISU, and Smt. Usha K., Associate Director, IISU, attended the programme.

The celebrations also feature the “Your Space” programme, which includes video competitions for students, along with activities encouraging public participation.

As part of the public outreach programme scheduled for October 10 at the Kerala State Science and Technology Museum, Shri Kiran Mohan, Deputy Director, LPSC, will speak on “Beyond the Pale Blue Dot”.

Subsequently, Prof. Srinivasa Murty Srinivasalu, Director of the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Thiruvananthapuram, will deliver a lecture on astrobiology at IIST.

The valedictory function of the World Space Week celebrations will be held on October 14. Dr. Rajeev U.P., Director, VSSC, will preside over the function, while the Vice-Chancellor of IIST will deliver the valedictory address. The Directors of LPSC and IISU will also offer felicitations.

***

SK

(Release ID: 2321384) Visitor Counter : 45