Did you know India’s first rocket was brought on cycle?
Guess how was India’s first rocket transported to Thumba Equatorial Launching Station about 52 years ago for the lift-off?
It was transported on a bicycle!. The second rocket, which was launched by ISRO sometime later, was a little bigger and heavier and it was transported in a bullock cart for the lift-off.
In 1963 Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) launched its first rocket from Thumba Equatorial Launching Station. The rocket was so small weighing only a few kilos that it could be easily carried in one hand — a sharp contrast from the GSLV rockets which are nearly 70 m long and weighing more than 400 tons.
The station had a single launch pad in the midst of coconut plantations. A local Catholic Church the St Mary Magadelene’s Church served as the main office for the scientists. The bishop’s house was converted into a workshop. A Cattle shed became the laboratory in which young Indian scientists like Abdul Kalam Azad worked and the rocket was transported to lift-off pad ON A BICYCLE. The second rocket, which was launched sometime later, was a little bigger and heavier and it was transported in a bullock cart for the lift-off.
Over the next 12 years, India built and launch more than 350 sounding rockets. A humble start for a great organisation and even greater people behind it! ISRO has made India proud. India is today one of the only 5 countries that can launch GSLV weight category satellites.
