ISRO-SAC, Ahmedabad

The Indian Space Research Organisation is the primary body for space research under the control of the Government of India, and one of the leading space research organizations in the world. It was established in its modern form in 1969 as a result of coordinated efforts initiated earlier. Under the guidance of a number of scientists, ISRO has conducted a variety of operations—supported by its launch vehicle fleet—for both Indian and foreign clients. ISRO has several field installations as assets, and cooperates with the international community as a part of several bilateral and multilateral agreements.

Space activities in the country started during early 1960s with the scientific investigation of upper atmosphere and ionosphere over the magnetic equator that passes over Thumba near Thiruvananthapuram using small sounding rockets Realising the immense potential of space technology for national development, Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, the visionary leader envisioned that this powerful technology could play a meaningful role in national development and solving the problems of common man.

Thus, Indian Space programme born in the church beginning, space activities in the country, concentrated on achieving self reliance and developing capability to build and launch communication satellites for television broadcast, telecommunications and meteorological applications; remote sensing satellites for management of natural resources.

The objective of ISRO is to develop space technology and its application to various national tasks. ISRO has established two major space systems, INSAT for communication, television broadcasting and meteorological services, and Indian Remote Sensing Satellites (IRS) system for resources monitoring and management. ISRO has developed two satellite launch vehicles, PSLV and GSLV, to place INSAT and IRS satellites in the required orbits.

Accordingly, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully operationalised two major satellite systems namely Indian National Satellites (INSAT) for communication services and Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellites for management of natural resources; also, Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) for launching IRS type of satellites and Geostationary Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) for launching INSAT type of satellites.

The Space Commission formulates the policies and oversees the implementation of the Indian space programme to promote the development and application of space science and technology for the socio-economic benefit of the country. DOS implements these programmes through, mainly Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA), Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), National Atmospheric Research Laboratory (NARL), North Eastern-Space Applications Centre (NE-SAC) and Semi-Conductor Laboratory (SCL). The Antrix Corporation, established in 1992 as a government owned company, markets the space products and services Space Applications Centre (SAC) is one of the major centres of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It is a unique centre dealing with a wide variety of disciplines comprising design and development of payloads, societal applications, capacity building and space sciences, thereby creating a synergy of technology, science and applications. The Centre is responsible for the development, realisation and qualification of communication, navigation, earth & planetary observation, meteorological payloads and related data processing and ground systems.

Several national level application programmes in the area of natural resources, weather and environmental studies, disaster monitoring/mitigation, etc are also carried out. It is playing an important role in harnessing space technology for a wide variety of applications for societal benefits. The organisational structure continues to remain dynamic, responding to the needs of the hour. SAC operates and maintains Ahmedabad Earth Station and the Delhi Earth Stations. SAC is a host institution for the training programmes related to Satellite Communication, Satellite Meteorology and global change under the Centre for Space Science & Technology Education in Asia and the Pacific (CSSTEAP) affiliated to the United Nations (UN).

Space Applications Centre

Jodhpur Tekra, Ambawadi Vistar P.O.

Ahmedabad - 380015

Website: www.sac.gov.in

Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad

Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) at Ahmedabad, is an autonomous institution supported mainly by DOS. It is a premier institute engaged in basic research in experimental and theoretical physics, astronomy and astrophysics, earth, planetary and atmospheric sciences. The activities cover a wide spectrum of competitive research in all these areas. PRL is also involved in conducting extensive academic programmes for Doctoral and Post Doctoral research and also has an Associateship programme for university teachers. It is also entrusted with the management of the Udaipur Solar Observatory (USO).

Known as the cradle of Space Sciences in India, the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) was founded on November 11, 1947 by Dr. Vikram Sarabhai. PRL had a modest beginning at his residence, the RETREAT, with research on cosmic rays.

The institute was formally established at the M.G. Science Institute, Ahmedabad, with support from the Karmkshetra Educational Foundation and the Ahmedabad Education Society. Prof. Kalpathi Ramakrishna Ramanathan was the first Director of the institute. The initial focus was research on Cosmic Rays and the properties of the Upper Atmosphere. Research areas were expanded to include Theoretical Physics and Radio Physics later with grants from the Atomic Energy Commission.

Today PRL is actively involved in research, related to five major fields of science. PRL is also instrumental in the PLANEX planetary science and exploration programme.

PRL research encompasses Astrophysics, Solar System and cosmic radiation.

Astronomy and Astrophysics: Current research programmes include studies on star formation, evolution of intermediate mass stars, photometric and polarimetric studies of active galaxies and BL Lac objects and high angular resolution studies by lunar occulations, study on circumstellar structure. The astronomical observations are taken through a 1.2 m telescope that is located in Mount Abu. The laboratory has also undertaken solar photospheric and chromospheric studies under the International Global Oscillations Network Group (GONG) project at Udaipur Solar Observatory. A 12 ft SPAR telescope is being used in this project.

Planetary atmospheres and Aeronomy: The institute has been recently investigating the electric and magnetic fields, plasma instabilities and the dynamics of the upper atmosphere are being carried out by elegant radio, optical and plasma diagnostic techniques. The role of trace gases in the chemical and radiative properties of the Earth's atmosphere and their impact on climate, ionization and electrodynamical parameters of the middle atmosphere are a few of the topics which are also being studied actively.

Earth Sciences: Studies that are particularly related to geochronology, geochemistry, glaciology, oceanography and palaeoclimatology are carried out in this institute. Isotope geology is one of the most actively researched upon subjects.

Theoretical Physics: Current research programmes include Neutrino physics, Physics beyond standard model, Standard and non-standard CP violation, Fermion masses, Supersymmetry, Baryogenesis, Phenomenology of higher dimensional theories, QCD and quark gluon plasma, Colour superconductivity, Chiral symmetry breaking, Study of quantum chaos in nuclear energy levels, Group theoretical models and nuclear structures, Study of atomic Rydberg states, Stark spectroscopy of atomic levels, Stability analysis of synchronized structures in coupled map networks.

Quantum Optics and Quantum Information: Production and characterization of entangled states, Cavity QED, Realization of quantum gates and networks, Storage and retrieval of quantum information, Subluminal and superluminal propagation of light, Dynamics of Bose-Einstein condensates and cold Fermions, Non-commutative field theory, Solitons, optical resonators and optical fibers are currently studied theoretically. Experimental study of optical vortices is also pursued.

Physical Research Laboratory (PRL)

Navrangpura

Ahmedabad - 380 009

Website: www.prl.res.in

Baloon at kankaria

Onlookers watch as a tethered helium balloon is sent up for its test run in Ahmedabad on September 8, 2010. India?s first ever tethered helium balloon, christened the 'Ahmedabad Eye?, will have the capacity to carry up to 30 people at a time up to 300 feet, priced at 100 and 75 Indian rupees for adults and children respectively (approximately 2 and 1.6 USD). The balloon complex, set to be inaugurated by Gujarat state Chief Minister Narendra Modi, is spread over 3,000 square yards and has a restaurant, a heritage garden and an exhibition displaying the balloon?s making.