Why ISRO is unique ?

ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) is little different than other leading space agencies. We all heard about NASA, ESA (European Space Agency) or ROSCOSMOS (Russian Space Agency). These space agencies have one thing in common. These are all famous and have big budgets. Where as ISRO has a small budget or government funding. But if you see its achievements, you will be speechless. 

ISRO always tried to focus on cost effective technologies. With budget of around 1.7 billion dollars per year (NASA's budget is 18 billion per year) it focused on the technologies that will cost low but as effective as high budget techs. For example, total mission cost of Mangalyaan (Mars Orbiter Mission) was only 74 million dollars. The Hollywood movie Gravity had more budget than it. How ISRO did it on so little cost where as NASA's Maven (Mars orbiter) costs around 674 million dollar ? Well ISRO knew they couldn't spend much on rocket fuel to accelerate the speed directly to Mars. So, they applied another method. At first they placed the Mangayaan on earths orbit and let it orbited earth for 7 rounds with increased distance and acquiring speed per round by using earth's gravity. In last round it was thrown to the transit course towards Mars. It worked like a sling shot. It took more time than the direct approach. Like Maven went directly to Mars after spent 27 mins in earth's orbit while Mangalyaan orbited earth for nearly a month and then took its transit course to Mars. But Mangayaan or Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) did it only in 11% of the budget of Maven. That doesn't end here. With MOM India became fourth in the world and first in Asia to send probe on Mars. It became worlds's first country to succeed in first attempt.

When ISRO started its journey in 1962 (It was the Indian National Committee for Space Research or INCOSPAR which later called ISRO), its first chairman Dr. Vikram Sarabhai said "There are some who question the relevance of space activities in a developing nation. To us, there is no ambiguity of purpose. We do not have the fantasy of competing with the economically advanced nations in the exploration of the moon or the planets or manned space-flight. But we are convinced that if we are to play a meaningful role nationally, and in the community of nations, we must be second to none in the application of advanced technologies to the real problems of man and society". ISRO always maintains that motto. It knows its limitations but it always achieves its goal.

Current achievement : ISRO holds the record of launching 104 satellites in one launch. 

Future goal : ISRO is working on sending man in the earth's orbit in 2022.

ISRO is small in budget compared to the big agencies but the passion made it unique.

Alchemy and its success through modern science

I hope you know the word "Alchemy". What was alchemy? Alchemy was mix of mysticism, philosophy, astrology and science. It was a subject of practice by which Philosophers Stone could be made which could transform ordinary metals like lead, nickel, iron to a precious metal like gold. It also searched for the Elixir of Life which could make people immortal.

The Alchemist

Alchemy had a long history. Many ancient civilizations like Hellenistic Egypt, India, China, Greeks, Romans had their own alchemy. In later periods Islamic kingdoms like Persia, Turkey, Egypt and Spanish Moors practiced this subject. Through Moors it re-entered Europe and in renaissance period during 12th to 13th century it spreaded in Europe. In the beginning it was not so different than early chemistry. Until 17th century it spreaded side by side with chemistry. Wealthy and powerful people like kings or barons were became patrons for the alchemists. They provided alchemists the laboratory and resources. In return alchemists must research and find the way to make gold from other metals. And It was not a surprise that they all failed their patrons to deliver the product. Many famous minds of that time spent their time in alchemy like Sir Isaac Newton, Tycho Brahe etc. 

Why alchemists failed ? Because they had the target which couldn't be achieved without proper knowledge of modern chemistry and nuclear science. They didn't have the knowledge or the proper instruments needed for producing that transformation in their time. So, by mixing of some substances did not produce gold.

What do we need to transform a metal to any other metal ? We need thorough knowledge of chemistry and nuclear science. In modern lab with particle accelerator or a nuclear reactor it is possible. Yes, gold can be made in lab but the cost is much more higher than the market rate. 

The idea of the alchemy was to transform an element to a new element. Scientists did that already. There are almost dozens of elements in periodic table (Like Americium, Berkelium, Californium, Einsteinium etc.) which could not be found naturally. These are man made Synthetic elements.

Synthetic Elements

So, in a sense alchemists achieved their goal at last. Modern chemistry captured the scientific essence of alchemy except mysticism, astrology and philosophy. It succeeded where alchemy failed. It created which alchemists always tried and gave their entire life. Modern chemistry found that philosophers stone and the ability to transform the elements, So, alchemists are surely laughing somewhere in this victory of modern science.

Jupiter : The Savior

Jupiter. The king of planets of our solar system. It is really a king, Almost 1300 earths can fit inside Jupiter. It is so massive that almost three earths can fit inside its great red spot. This Jupiter is the savior of earth. It saved earth many times in the past. It is also saving us still now. The question is how ?

Do you remember Shoemaker Levy 9? That comet which collided with Jupiter in 1994. Though Jupiter didn't fill much by that collision but can you imagine what would happen if those collided with earth? Simple answer, we wouldn't exist after that collision. Jupiter prevented that by catching it with its huge gravitational pull. That removed the chance of hitting earth and its total destruction.

Shoemaker Levy 9 on its collision course with Jupiter 

So, is Jupiter always so vigilant? Answer is no. It failed sometimes. The greatest example of its failure was 65 million years back. It failed to protect earth from that giant asteroid which hit earth and made that huge crater in Mexico. Dinosaurs paid the price by their life for that failure. But in most of the cases it guarded or should say still guarding earth very well and efficiently. Jupiter is important for intelligent life to evolve.

Nowadays, we are discovering many star systems with planets. Some of them are earth like and in habitable zones. So, we may assume life and if lucky intelligent life can be evolved on those planets. Well one of the conditions needed for intelligent life to sustain or evolve is presence of Jupiter like planet in that star system. If not then the chances are not so high. Recently Trappist-1 star system is made a huge impact on planet hunters and scientists. Seven planets orbiting a dwarf star and three of them are in habitable zone and earth like. But the problem is no Jupiter like planet is present there. So, we may find life in those planets in future but intelligent life ? Well I am not so optimistic.

The conclusion is Jupiter or Jupiter like planets are crucial for intelligent life. Whether it is for our solar system or any other star system. 

  

The Greatest Number of All Time : Zero

   "0". What is it? You will answer "It is a zero". What can it do?  Well, it can do noting when it is alone. When combined with other numbers ? It can do miracles. Did you ever think of life without zero? No, You didn't. Cause our civilization, our technology, our commerce, economy, science, mathematics even our daily life is greatly depend on it. What if we delete zero from our life ? Our whole modern civilization will collapse.

  

   As per sources zero was first invented in Ancient Sumeria. From there it spreaded to Babylon, India, China etc. We find the first appearance of zero in India around 2nd or 3rd century BC. It was called "Sunya", which means empty space. 

   How zero boosted up our advancement ? Let's think of a number. Let's take 100. You wrote it easily. Now if you write it in Roman numeral, then it will be "C". Now you multiply this 100 with 235. Answer is 23500. Now do that in Roman. It will be C multiply by..... let me think. What is 235 in Roman numeral? Need to google. Got it. It is CCXXXV. Then what is 23500? Need to google it again. It is (X)(X)MMMD. Nowadays you have google. Think of our scientists or mathematicians of ancient time. To do this simple multiplication, which our 2nd grade children can do in minutes, would take at least 2 minutes (If you know Roman numeral very well, if not then sadly...... you can't). It is only 23500, What if it is 1035673589. It would take a whole day to just find and write this number. Zero made it easy, "A matter of minute".

   Zero made it possible for mathematics, one of the main pillars of our science to do the calculations fast. That made our civilization to develop in rapid speed.

So, conclusion is : Zero is invaluable and one of the greatest invention of human civilization. It is the greatest number of all time.   

      

  

God exists. How can you prove?

This title is little tricky. Does god exist ? In my eyes, yes. God exists. I may try to prove it also. Calm down, Calm down. Don't be so hyper. Let me explain.

What is the definition of god ? According to Wikipedia "God has been conceived as either personal or impersonal. In theism, God is the creator and sustainer of the universe, while in deism, God is the creator, but not the sustainer, of the universe. In pantheism, God is the universe itself." 

So, we got an idea who or what can be called god. God is the creator. Who created this universe. Who created us and all living and non living things. What we are made of then ? We are made of the same thing which made the other things in universe. Atom is the smallest part of us but it is not solid. It is made of three little particles. Proton, Neutron & Electron. This trio is the main magician of creation. The element can be changed by adding or subtracting these particles. Like we know about Hydrogen. It is on no. 1 in periodic table. It has 1 proton and 1 electron. 

Hydrogen atom

Now if you add 1 more proton, i more electron and 1 or 2 neutrons (Depends on the isotope) in that, you will get Helium. It is on No. 2 in periodic table. 

Now when we add 1 more proton, 1 more electron and 2 or 3 neutrons (Again depends on the isotope) with it, we get Lithium. Which is on no.3 in periodic table and it is metal not gas like Hydrogen or Helium. 

So, by addition and subtraction, these three particles can create everything in this known universe.

These three little magicians can create and sustain everything. Stars, planets, humans all are in this list. This trio is god. They create, they sustain, they destroy. Famous Astrophysicist Carl Sagan once said "We are made of star stuff". Absolutely True. Cause stars and us both made by these little magicians. 

Humans made the image of god in their own reflection. By their inability to understand the magic of these little all powerful particles. 

As we see in every religion god created us, god made this universe, god is preserver, god is all powerful. True it is. These are the gods.

I shared my view. The way I understand and think about god. I didn't try to create any controversy from religious angle. I just tried to find a scientific definition of god with my little knowledge and understanding. Please share your view in comment.     

Why science fiction is important for scientific advancement

    I hope you know Jules Verne. The author of "20000 leagues under the sea", "From earth to the moon" and "Around the world in 80 days". He was a French author of 19th century , who wrote about a ship called Nautilus in his novel “20000 leagues under the sea”. Nautilus was a version of modern day submarine. In “From earth to the moon” he wrote about the journey to the moon. Who doesn't know about Star Trek ? The adventures of Captain Kirk. We saw many fictional things in Star Trek, like video calling, mobile phone, Starship Enterprise, teleportation etc. So what is common in all these things ? They were all science fiction of their time. When Jules Verne wrote those novels nobody ever imagined about submarine or going to the moon. When Star Trek first released, the mobile phone and video calling were fiction. Though Starship Enterprise is still a fiction and teleportation is imaginary thing but we can see International Space Station which is orbiting earth. So we may get our Starship Enterprise in near future.

Starship Enterpirse

Now why I'm giving the science fiction so importance ? Cause these fictions are the first pillars of invention of those fictional things. I'm not saying they have directly impact on those inventions but those fictions inspired the future scientists to invent those things. There is no doubt about it. They ideas were supplied to science . The ideas which were born through authors’ imagination. Sometimes those ideas ignited the rush for those fictional things.

The union

Now we must not mix fantasy with fiction. Some ideas or tings are total fantasy. Like dragon, mermaid etc. Those things never existed or are misinterpretation of something else. Dinosaur bones were treated as dragon bones in the past. Sighting of sea cows or elephant seal was misunderstood as mermaid. There is a thin line between fantasy and fiction. Fantasy is unachievable through science but science fiction has some truth in it or based on science in most cases. So it may be achieved depends on the advancement of our scientific knowledge and technology.

We can divide sci-fi in three categories.

1.      Fiction of past, realty of present :         In this category we can put Submarine, Aeroplane, Helicopter, Mobile Phone, Video calling etc. These things were fiction when the authors wrote about them but in modern days these are reality.

2.     Fiction of present, reality of near future :         In this category we can put Human colony on other planets, Human evolution through artificial intelligence or in simple word Cyborg, Self aware  self sufficient AI (Now this one can be bad. Just can’t ignore the thought of “Terminator”).

3.     Fiction of present, reality of future is questionable :         In this category we can put time travel, Travelling to another star system (This one can be possible but with our modern technology “No go”), Encounter with alien intelligent life (The distance between two star systems is so vast it is really problematic for them to visit us and existence of wormhole is still in theory) etc.

So, I think science fiction has played and will  play an important role in scientific development  of our species. This is my personal opinion. A common man’s opinion with ordinary brain and ordinary IQ. What is your opinion ?

ISRO will send man to orbit in 2022

If everything goes well ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) will send a man to orbit in 2022. The name of this mission will be "Gaganyaan". The confirmation came from The Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi himself during his Independence Day speech in Red Fort on 15th August. If it happens successfully, India will be the fourth country in the world after USA, Russia and China to achieve that. This will be a challenge but ISRO is confident.

The man in space is nothing new. Yuri Gagarin was the first man of  former USSR did this long ago (1961). USA followed that With Alan Shepard in the same year. The International Space Station (ISS) is already orbiting earth with crew inside. China successfully sent man in orbit in 2003. Now its time for India.

Why this mission is important for India ? The reason is, this will be an Indigenous mission. The spacecraft, the rocket the crew all will be Indian. Though Indians or people of Indian origins already ventured in space before (Rakesh Sharma, Late Kalpana Chawla, Sunita Williams) but those were all programmed by USA or Russia. This one will be totally Indian mission. If this mission succeeds, it will be a giant leap of confidence and capability for ISRO. That will help its future manned mission to the moon.

The difference between sending an unmanned mission and a manned mission is totally different. Manned mission is much more difficult, complex and fragile. So, lets our fingers crossed and wait for 2022.            

ISRO is going to launch a spcae science channel ISRO TV to reach more people. An effort to be praised

ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) is going to launch a new satellite for their new space and science channel ISRO TV to reach all corners of India. The goal of this launching is to inform common people about the benefit of space science. They also want to attract children towards this branch of science through this new channel.

This is a brilliant step towards the improvement of Indian space research. If they can inform and make the common people understand why space research is necessary for the bright future of India. It will gain the full support of population in their future space programs. Targeting kids in space research is also a nice step. It will secure and solidify India's future in space research. ISRO is already a renowned space agency in the world by their space programs on moon and mars. They hold the record of launching 104 satellites in space by one launch. So, this recent step will boost up the human resource supply for the future.

Space is the new frontier for mankind. In modern era not only government space agencies but private space agencies like SPACE X and Blue Horizon are also competing. So, the competition is already tight. To compete with other big players like USA, Russia, EU, China and Japan, India must concentrate on improving its space agency in a continuous way. Thankfully the wind is blowing on the right direction.