APJ Abdul Kalam’s contribution in making India a member of space club: 5 points

India on Monday is remembering ‘Missile Man’ Dr APJ Abdul Kalam on his  fifth death anniversary. Kalam, the 11th President of India, died on July 27, 2015 in Shillong, but the country fondly remembers him and his notable works. Kalam, who served as President of India, taught students and achieved milestones as a scientists. 

Let’s look at the contributions made by the “Missile Man” to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO):

• Abdul Kalam, who was a scientist in DRDO, supervised Pokhran-II nuclear tests which was carried out in 1998. He also served as the scientific adviser to Defence Minister and Secretary, Department of Defence Research & Development from 1992 to 1999.

• He directed two projects, during his tenure at DRDO, Project Devil and Project Valiant, which was aimed at developing ballistic missiles.

• Kalam was also the chief executive of development of two missiles, Agni and Prithvi, under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP).

• He was a part of Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR), set up by Dr Vikram Sarabhai, the father of Indian space programme.

• The 11th Indian President was also the director of India’s first Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-III) which deployed the Rohini satellite in near-earth orbit. He also contributed in the development of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).