Isro Chairman V Narayanan on Thursday unveiled a statue of Yuri Gagarin in Chennai. He thanked Russia for supporting India’s space programme during early years. Narayanan said, "Russia was ready to provide us that cryogenic technology." India now builds its own engines and helps other nations grow their space capabilities too.
Isro Chairman V Narayanan on Thursday unveiled a statue of Yuri Gagarin, the first human to travel into space, in Chennai and thanked Russia for its longstanding support to India's space programme.
Recalling how several countries had refused to share crucial space technologies with India, Narayanan said Russia had stood by the country during key moments in its journey towards becoming a major space power.
The event was held in the presence of Valery Khodzhaev, Consul General of the Russian Federation in Chennai, and was organised in association with the Russian Centre of Science and Culture.
RUSSIA'S ROLE IN INDIA'S SPACE JOURNEY
Recalling the launch of India's first indigenous satellite, Aryabhata, Narayanan said it was sent into space with the help of a Russian launch vehicle.
He also highlighted Russia's role in sending India's first astronaut, Rakesh Sharma, into space.
Sharma travelled aboard the Soviet Soyuz T-11 spacecraft in 1984, becoming the first Indian to go to space.
Narayanan said India had also faced restrictions when it sought cryogenic engine technology from other countries.
Several nations refused to provide the technology, citing the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), even though it had no direct military application.
"However, Russia was ready to provide us that cryogenic technology. I was also part of the team that went to Russia to acquire the technology. But, due to certain geopolitical circumstances, it could not materialise," he said.
INDIA DEVELOPED ITS OWN CRYOGENIC TECHNOLOGY
Although the proposed technology transfer did not go ahead, India eventually developed its own cryogenic engine technology, Narayanan said, highlighting the progress made by the country's space programme.
He also cited India's major achievements, including the Chandrayaan-3 landing near the Moon's south polar region, the Mars Orbiter Mission and the launch of 104 satellites in a single PSLV mission.
Narayanan said India had now reached a stage where it was helping other countries build their capabilities in the space sector, marking a significant shift from its early years of dependence on international support.