Careers in Space Sciences
Ranjan K Baruah *
While looking at the sky we think and wish we could explore them and reach there sometime and see what materials are there. The perspectives of children and elders would be certainly different here.
Inquisitive minds will bring lots of questions where as many would skip thinking. When we hear the names of Rakesh Sharma, Kalpana Chawla or Dr APJ Abdul Kalam then we think about space and people going there or doing work related to space or satellites.
We should remember that on 4 October 1957 the first human-made Earth satellite Sputnik I was launched into outer space, thus opening the way for space exploration. On 12 April 1961, Yuri Gagarin became the first human to orbit the Earth, opening a new chapter of human endeavour in outer space.
The United Nations General Assembly, in its resolution A/RES/65/271 of 7 April 2011, declared 12 April as the International Day of Human Space Flight
“to celebrate each year at the international level the beginning of the space era for mankind,
reaffirming the important contribution of space science and technology in achieving sustainable development goals and
increasing the well-being of States and peoples,
as well as ensuring the realization of their aspiration to maintain outer space for peaceful purposes.”
Looking at space and careers around it does not only limit to be an astronaut but beyond astronaut as there are many other options related to career in space. A space agency like ISRO or NASA employs several other scientists, technicians, and experts. We are aware that there are many uses of artificial satellites. It also helps in weather-tracking and predicting natural disasters.
Students who are dreaming to make their career related to space must study engineering or science after their secondary or senior secondary level of studies.
There are many avenues like developing infrastructure needed for space exploration, studying objects, exploring solar systems, studying and monitoring satellites, becoming astronauts, space engineers, aerospace engineering, avionics & instrumentation engineering, spacecraft engineering, etc. There are also scopes for astrophysics, geologists, meteorologists, communication technicians.
In India, aspirants may join organisation like Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), National Aeronautical Laboratories (NAL), Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS), Indian Institute of Science, etc.
To become an astronaut one may apply for the course at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), US.
ISRO: India decided to go to space when Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR) was set up by the Government of India in 1962.
With the visionary Dr Vikram Sarabhai at its helm, INCOSPAR set up the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS) in Thiruvananthapuram for upper atmospheric research. ISRO, formed in 1969, superseded the erstwhile INCOSPAR.
Vikram Sarabhai, having identified the role and importance of space technology in a Nation’s development, provided ISRO the necessary direction to function as an agent of development.
ISRO then embarked on its mission to provide the Nation space based services and to develop the technologies to achieve the same independently.
Apart from technological capability, ISRO has also contributed to science and science education in the country.
Various dedicated research centres and autonomous institutions for remote sensing, astronomy and astrophysics, atmospheric sciences and space sciences in general function under the aegis of Department of Space.
ISRO’s own Lunar and interplanetary missions along with other scientific projects encourage and promote science education, apart from providing valuable data to the scientific community which in turn enriches science.
We shall publish more career options related to space in next editions and till then stay safe and keep fighting against COVID19.
* Ranjan K Baruah wrote this article for The Sangai Express
Ranjan K Baruah is a career mentor, skill trainer and motivational speaker and can be reached at at bkranjan(AT)gmail(DOT)com
This article was posted on April 17, 2020.
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