Contents
Vikram Sarabhai
Founding India’s space programme with a focus on everyday needs.
ISRO · Physical Research Laboratory
- Born
- 12 August 1919
- Birthplace
- Ahmedabad, India
- Died
- 30 December 1971
More people
Vikram Sarabhai
Vikram Sarabhai was an Indian physicist who helped establish the country’s space programme. He saw satellites as tools for communication, education and development. Alongside space research, he helped create institutions in management, industry and the arts.
Early life
Ahmedabad family
Grew up in an industrialist family active in education and public life.
Cambridge studies
Studied natural sciences before turning to research on cosmic rays.
Career
- 1940s
Cosmic-ray research
Worked in India during the war, then completed his Cambridge doctorate in 1947.
- 1947
Physical Research Laboratory
Established a research laboratory in Ahmedabad.
- 1962–1963
Beginning the space programme
Led INCOSPAR and helped establish the Thumba rocket-launching station.
- 1969
ISRO
Became the founding chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation.
Projects
Cosmic-ray studies
Investigated cosmic radiation at tropical latitudes.
Thumba launches
Helped bring sounding-rocket experiments to India’s magnetic-equator region.
Satellite education plan
Developed international cooperation that led to the 1975–1976 SITE television experiment.
Beyond space
Performing arts
With his wife, dancer Mrinalini Sarabhai, helped establish the Darpana Academy.
Management education
Helped found the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad.
Sources & photo credit
Biography ↗ISRO biography ↗Photo: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). GODL-India · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
