The first rocket of India was carried to the launch pad on a bicycle
Launching rockets is considered a baby step before establishing a full-fledged space programme. One such step was completed when India’s first rocket took off from Thumba, a small town on the outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram. Launched on 21st November 1963, this rocket launch gave birth to the India’s space age. You might have heard many space-related good news about India after this event. However, the history of the first rocket launch will always be worth remembering. So, let’s dig into the story!
The Equatorial Church
Before launching the rocket, Thumba was just a village with a peaceful seashore, coconut groves, and simple huts. It was Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, the father of the Indian Space Programme, who noticed a small church in this sleepy town. He observed that this holy place was on the Earth’s magnetic equator, an imaginary line perfect for boosting a spacecraft’s speed. Since Dr. Sarabhai felt Thumba was the best launch place, he and his fellow scientists visited this place. Late Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, our former President, and R Aravamudan, a scientist, were part of the crew who visited the church. The team spoke with Reverend Dr. Peter Bernard Pereira, the priest-in-charge, who lived right next to the church. Dr. Sarabhai and his colleagues wanted to acquire the church and nearby land for this project. However, instead of giving a clear answer, Dr. Pereira invited them to the Sunday mass. In this way, the team could explain their mission and ask permission from all the other people of the town as well. A masterstroke indeed!
Everyone agreed and Dr. Pereira granted his permission for this mission as well! Soon, the necessary paperwork was done, and the villagers were relocated to a new place. Also, you will be surprised to know, that a new church was built in this brand-new village within 100 days, as a gesture of honour for the inhabitants!
In Thumba, the church was converted into a workshop, and the priest’s home was converted into an office. Obviously, the cattle sheds had to go. They were used as storage houses and laboratories.
The journey of the scientists
The scientists received very little funding and facilities, but they were so enthusiastic that they still assembled India’s first rocket. Although the rocket launch mission was a victory, it came with many challenges that they had to resolve on a daily basis. Let’s have a look at some of them.
- Thumba did not have even the basic facilities? This village had no hotel or other food places. So, the scientists had to visit Thiruvananthapuram railway station daily to eat breakfast and dinner. Such were the days!
- There was only one jeep which was nearly unavailable. As a result, scientists either walked or used a bicycle for their commute and transporting all materials needed to build the rocket.
- During weekends or holidays, the team only had a choice to visit the beach or watch old Hollywood movies at the Srikumar theatre.
- The scientists used bicycles and bullock carts to carry rockets to the launch pad!
Well-known faces on the launch day
After just six months of laborious work, India finally launched its first rocket on 21st November, 1963. For this auspicious event, many well-known people were present at the location. For example, Dr. Homi Bhabha, the father of the Indian Nuclear Programme, visited Thumba. Dr. P R Pisharoty, the founder-director of the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, also witnessed the rocket launch. In addition, the Governor of Kerala, District collector, and Dr. Pereira were also present to be a part of this glorious launch.