On 23 February 1962, the Indian National Committee for Space Research or INCOSPAR was established by the Government of India. Post independence, the country’s politicians and scientists began to understand the importance of space and rocket technology for India. Our first prime minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru saw a lot of potential in rocket science and he was keen on developing proper policy on space exploration activities. Nehru recognized the importance of science and technology for the development of the nation.
The U.S.S.R launched the first artificial satellite called the Sputnik, and this made people realize the potential of satellites. This also propelled Nehru to put space research under the governance of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) in 1961. The DAE was founded and then headed by Homi J Bhabha, a veteran nuclear scientist. Bhabha created the Indian National Committee for Space Research or INCOSPAR in February 1962 along with Vikram Sarabhai as its Chairman.
Under the brilliant guidance of Sarabhai, INCOSPAR organised space research activities and formulated India’s space programme. The committee also took up the responsibilities of DAE related to space research.
During its inception, INCOSPAR was part of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) led by Prof. MGK Menon. As we mentioned earlier, Dr. Kalam was a Rocket Engineer there and when the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) was formed out of INCOSPAR in 1969, he became of part of the ISRO. In 1972, ISRO came under the newly-created Department of Space.
Picture Credit : Google