Space Programme in India

Abstract

The scientific study of meteorology and of the variations in the earth’s magnetism were started more than a century ago in India. It is now over 100 years ago the British scientist Allan Broun, with Indian assistants, made his important contribution to geomagnetism. (J. Allan Broun, F.R.S., was the Director of the Trivandrum Observatory from 1852 to 1865; and made some fundamental contributions to geomagnetism by his work on the diurnal variations of the magnetic declination at Trivandrum near the magnetic equator.) With a long established tradition of research in meteorology, ionospheric physics, geo-magnetism, cosmic rays, astrophysics and solar physics, India has a good scientific base and a deep interest in the exploration of outer space. Science and technology provide the very basis upon which the future of a country rests. It is not possible for a developing country like India to progress in this field, unless one can provide the opportunities of making discoveries in the fields of scientific research, which would assist in increasing the economy and the standard of living of the people. Space research provides many areas in which it will yield results of great practical interest and importance, and it is highly desirable that any country should undertake such research to advance knowledge in science and technology.KeywordsTotal Electron ContentSpace ResearchSatellite CommunicationMagnetic EquatorSpace ProgrammeThese keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.