The first-ever National Space Day (NSpD) is observed across India on 23 August 2024 to commemorate the achievement of the Chandrayaan-3 Mission, launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
- The Chandrayaan-3 Mission accomplished the safe and soft landing of the Vikram Lander and deployed the Pragyaan rover on the lunar surface near the Moon’s South Pole on 23 August 2023.
- With this achievement, India became the 4th country to land on the moon and the 1st to land near the southern polar region of the moon.
2024 NSpD Theme:
The 2024 theme of NSpD is, “Touching Lives while Touching the Moon: India’s Space Saga.”
- The 2024 theme emphasises the societal and technological benefits of space exploration.
Purpose of the Day:
i.NSpD aims to engage and inspire the youth towards space science and technology and its applications.
ii.It highlights India’s remarkable space mission achievements and showcases advancements in space technology.
iii.The Day also increases public awareness of the significance and benefits of space exploration, promoting national pride and unity.
Background:
i.In August 2023, the GoI declared the 23 August of every year as National Space Day, to mark the remarkable success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission.
ii.The declaration was made during the meeting of Prime Minster (PM) Narendra Modi with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at the ISRO Telemetry, Tracking, and Command Network (ISTRAC) Mission Control Facility (MCF) in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
iii.It was also proposed to organise a pan-India celebration in August 2024 and a 1-day conference/workshop/exhibition, known as the Space Ideathon, in universities/colleges preceding the NSpD 2024 celebrations, to promote innovative ideas.
Note: The landing site of the Vikram Lander on the lunar surface was named ‘Shiv Shakti‘ point (Statio Shiv Shakti).
2024 Events:
i.The Government of India (GoI) has launched a month-long campaign during July and August 2024, to mark the inaugural NSpD 2024.
ii.A grand event featuring high-profile sessions, panel discussions, and a cultural program was organised at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi (Delhi) on 23 August 2024 to mark the NSpD 2024.
1.Space on Wheels Project:
i.The Space on Wheels Project is a collaborative and unique initiative and the project Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the ISRO and Vijnana Bharati (VIBHA), a science organisation on 24 January 2023.
ii.This project involves mobile exhibition buses travelling to universities and colleges during NSpD celebrations.
iii.The project’s primary goal is to disseminate information about ISRO’s activities and capabilities in deploying rockets, satellites, etc., and India’s space missions to school students across India.
iv.The mobile exhibition featured models of the 1st 2 launch pads, Chandrayaan missions, and interactive displays.
2.ISRO Space Tutors:
ISRO’s 120 registered Space Tutors organised outreach events such as talks, quizzes, and exhibitions across India, to promote space education.
3.Bharathiya Antariksh Hackathon:
Organised by the ISRO and Innovation Partner Hack2skill, the national-level Hackathon encourages innovative solutions in space technology, with top students earning internships at ISRO.
- The hackathon’s top 3 winners gained an opportunity to showcase their applications during the NSpD 2024 celebrations.
4.ISRO Robotics Challenge:
The ISRO Robotics Challenge-U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) (IRoC-U), a student space robotics challenge, was launched on November 8, 2023.
- The IRoC-U 2024 offers students to provide innovative solutions in space robotics, with the tagline “Let’s build a space robot.”
Other Events:
i.The Department of Fisheries (DoF) under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying (MoFAH&D) organised seminars and demonstrations on the “Application of Space Technologies in Fisheries Sector” across coastal States and Union Territories (UTs), guided by Dr Abhilash Likhi, Secretary of the DoF at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi, Delhi.
ii.As part of the NSpD 2024 celebrations, the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in Kerala along with the Liquid Propulsion System Centre (LPSC) in Kerala and Karnataka, ISRO Inertial System Unit (IISU) in Kerala, Indian Institute Of Space science and Technology (IIST) in Kerala & ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC) in Tamil Nadu, has conducted various events at Zone-7 comprising of Kerala, Lakshadweep & Mahe in VSSC, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
President of India Presents Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar –2024
On 22 August 2024, President Droupadi Murmu presented the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP) -2024, at an award ceremony held at Gantantra Mandap, Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, Delhi. RVP is one of the highest recognitions in science, technology, and innovation in India.
- The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)–Chandrayaan 3 Team was awarded the Vigyan Team (VT) Award for their contributions to space science and technology.
- RVP 2024 is the 1st edition comprising 33 awards and the awards were presented to distinguished scientists in 4 categories.
- The awardees were presented a Sanad (certificate) signed by the President of India and a medallion.
Objective: RVP recognises exceptional contributions made by scientists, technologists, and innovators, individually or in teams, across various fields of science, technology, and technology-led innovation.
Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar –2024:
i.Vigyan Ratna (VR) Award recognises lifetime achievements and contributions made in any field of science and technology.
- In 2024, the VR Award was presented to Professor Govindarajan Padmanabhan, a pioneer of molecular biology and biotechnology research in India.
ii.Vigyan Shri (VS) Awards recognises distinguished contributions in any field of science and technology. In 2024, it was awarded to 13 scientists.
iii.Vigyan Yuva-Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (VY-SSB) Award recognises and encourages young scientists who make an exceptional contribution in any field of science and technology.
- In 2024, it was given to 18 scientists for contributions ranging from Indian Ocean warming studies to the development of indigenous 5th Generation (5G) technology.
iv.Vigyan Team (VT) Award recognises a team comprising 3 or more scientists/researchers/innovators for making ground-breaking research contributions in any field of science and technology.
About the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO):
Chairman– Dr. S. Somanath
Headquarters– Bengaluru, Karnataka
Established – 1969.
