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.....my life lies in those eyes that have me slain
 

Friday, May 06, 2005

PSLV Departs



PSLV-C6 took off successfully from the second launch pad at SHAR (Sriharikota High Altitude Range), Andhra Pradesh, yesterday. I closely relate to these launch vehicles b'coz I've been to SHAR and had a briefing on the process of rocket manufacture. My mamaji (mom's brother) is a rocket scientist at ISRO and had arranged for all us cousins to visit the space centre, a couple of times.

I'd last been to SHAR in 2004, two days prior to the launch of GSLV-F04 (EDUSAT), and watched the vehicle up-close in its launch pad, ready for the liftoff. When it did break free from its chains, I could see that the vehicle which was right before my eyes two days earlier, was going off into space. Mamaji took us on an extensive trip all over SHAR. It was an experience of a lifetime. I was awe-struck at the sort of work carried out by the engineers. Perhaps, what we as software professionals do, amounts to nothing when compared to astronautical engineering. Everything they do is in mammoth proportions - from manufacturing and storing rocket fuels, which is a highly hazardous task, to the final assembly of all shuttle parts. I'd been to one of these assembly towers, where a rocket was being assembled and my jaw dropped at the sight of it and the whole structure towering high above me! The entire operation of vehicle launch is precisely monitored on giant screens in the control room. It sure requires some nerve of steel to work under such live-wire conditions! I won't be able to recollect the technical details right now ;) but the intense thrill I had while watching all of it, still lingers on. And this time, ISRO has really done India proud, as the cryogenic stage on PSLV was built indigenously.

If anyone has a chance to visit a space centre, go for it without fail! One has to see it to believe it. I'd really want to take my kids to SHAR when they come along into my life; hope mamaji wud still be with ISRO then!


Comments:

I certainly do want to vist ISRO but for links:>
definitely astro. engg.'s works are delicate and mammoth but remember its ur s/w that is running all that!
# posted by Blogger Vaibhav : Saturday, May 07, 2005  


Hey this is a neat blog.
Its saddening to hear about your mom being alone on her 25th anniversary. My parents had their 25th last Nov.
# posted by Blogger Bayesian Observer : Saturday, May 07, 2005  


vaibhav...actually u r right...s/w does run all that amazing stuff!

zuluboy, that's one hard fact of life that i need to learn to live with...
# posted by Blogger Vidhi : Monday, May 09, 2005  


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What is yours will remain yours, even when it is not with you.

About Me
24 year-old female Arian. wheatish complexion, long hair, slender frame. After being a citizen of the world an Indian to the core

Fav Books: The Alchemist, Harry Potter
Fav Movie: The eternal Titanic
Fan of: Salman Khan, the English language
Fav line: When you want something very badly, the entire universe conspires to help you have it. [The Alchemist]


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