Top 10 Scientific Achievements of India in 2019
India is the birthplace of many important inventions’ science. Right from the very invention of the digit 0 to find out that plants have life, the contribution of Indians in the field of science is unquestionable. Even today, Indian scientists are staying true to their legacy and making great strides in their respective fields.
On this National Science Day, let us take a look at the 10 biggest scientific achievements of Indian science in the year 2019.
1. Successful test firing of Astra Missile
The Defence Research Development Organization (DRDO) came up with the Astra, our very own air-to-air missile that is designed to be fired at short range. The three-tier defence system of Astra makes it competent in protecting metropolitan cities from attacks like that of 9/11.
The successful test testing of the Astra Missile makes India the third country in the world (after Russia and the USA) to own such a missile.
2. Successful launch of electronic intelligence satellite – EMISAT
The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has played a crucial role in writing the success story of 2019’s scientific journey. The launch of EMISAT was one significant landmark by the organization.
The electronic intelligence satellite is fitted with state-of-the-art sensors and has the latest radar technology. It is capable of sensing any form of human or electronic movement. The deployment of this satellite to guard the difficult India-Pak border will go a long way in helping the Indian Army.
3. First Indian manned space mission
The year 2018 saw Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi announcing Mission Gaganyaan, India’s first manned mission to the moon. The following year saw the nation preparing for this ambitious mission.
Aircraft support system, health monitoring system and life support system for the mission (scheduled for 2022) have already been finalized. Potential astronauts have been sent to Russia for training. With Mission Gagamyaan, history is being written at every step and 2019 was an important year in that regard.
4. Launch of the communication satellite GSAT-31
On the 5th of February 2019, ISRO saw the successful launch of GSAT -31. Weighing 2,535 kg, this was launched from the Guiana Space Center (France). The satellite will be used in digital newsgathering, DTH television, television uplinks, VSAT networks, and cellular back hall connectivity purposes.
It is a major achievement for Indian space science as this increased the capacity of geostationary orbit’s Ku-band transponders.
5. India to launch its space station by 2030
One of the most landmark scientific moves of 2019 was the plan to set up our very own space station in the next 11 years. This move by ISRO is in continuation of its plan to send astronauts to space by 2022. The space station will be launched as a module.
Not only will it be smaller than the other existing space stations, but it will be significantly lighter as well (weighing only 20 ton). Planned to be used in microgravity, this proposal by ISRO is a significant milestone in the history of Indian space science.
6. Gene editing on banana genome
The National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (Mohali) initiated a gene-editing technique on the banana genome. Looking from the gross value of production perspective, banana ranks fourth among the crops of India. With the gene-editing technique, the agronomically important traits of banana can be improved. It will also bring up pathogen resistance and improve the nutritional quality of banana.
In the coming years, this can be extended to other fruits and vegetables. It will not be far-fetched to say that gene-editing technique may be the foundation stone for a healthier nation.
7. Successful launch of India’s earth observation satellite
Another history was written on the 27th of November 2019 at the Satish Dhawan Space Center (Sriharikota) when Cartosat-3 was launched by ISRO. Its high-resolution image sensing capacity makes it capable of taking the closest photographs from space.
Placed at an inclination of 97.5 degrees at an orbit of 507km from the earth’s surface, this remote sensing satellite is expected to be of great help in predicting natural disasters. Its real-time data will also help in manning the borders of the country.
8. Tool for autism screening
The Government Medical College and Hospital (Chandigarh) came up with a unique tool that helps to identify autism in children. In the past, autism was often misdiagnosed and passed off as mental retardation. This is especially true in the case of rural areas.
With this latest indigenous tool, early identification of autism can be achieved even in the most remote parts of the country. With timely intervention, the lives of thousands of children with autistic disorders will be fixed.
9. Chandrayan – 2’s orbiter successfully placed
As a part of Chandrayan 2, ISRO was able to successfully place its orbiter at 100km from the moon. It is expected to remain on-orbit for a year during which duration it will capture thermal images of the moon. Such high-resolution images will help the team sitting at ISRO’s mission control room to unravel more mysteries about the moon.
Although the Vikram Lander had crashed at half a kilometre from its planned landing site on the moon, the mission was a success due to the successful deployment of eight other payloads and two rovers.
10. Real-time landslide warning system
The Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority, in collaboration with Amritha University, came up with a unique real-time landslide warning system. The north-eastern Himalayan region is prone to landslides during the rainy months. To tackle this, a landslide warning system consisting of more than 200 sensors have been set up in the Sikkim – Darjeeling belt. The sensors are designed to measure hydrological and geophysical pressure (such as pore pressure, rainfall, seismic activities, etc) and warn authorities of impending landslides about a day in advance.
Such pro-active measures will help to bring down the loss of life and property that the state is victim to every year. These recent scientific achievements are a testimony to the fact that the golden era of Indian science lies in front of us.
On this Nation Science Day, let us take a pledge to uphold the scientific temperament of the nation and drive the wheels of scientific progress.
