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| Symbolic representation of Indian tricolour on Moon (Image source: www.bwmag.in) |
In 2008, India became the fourth country to drop a national flag on Moon, and former ISRO chairman Dr. Madhavan Nair credits the idea to Dr Abdul Kalam.
To be precise, it was not the Indian flag you may be familiar with that was planted on the moon. It was actually the Moon Impact Probe (MIP), a microwave sized instrument, with the national tri-colour painted on its sides.
It was ejected out of the lunar orbiter Chandrayan 1 and took 25 minutes to reach Moon's surface.
The MIP got scattered over the surface of the Shackleton crater of the moon, when it landed violently at a speed of more than 3,100 mph. But this was on purpose, to enable the scientists collect data and images required for the 'soft landing' in future.
Writing in the Bangalore Mirror, Dr. Madhavan Nair, who headed the Chandrayaan 1 programme, says he had gone to the Rashtrapathi Bhavan on the invite of his former colleague, Dr Kalam.
During a post-dinner walk through the Mughal Gardens, the then President Kalam brought up this topic with him while excitedly discussing details concerning Chandrayan.
"You should put a flag on the moon," Dr Kalam said. "How else will you let the world know your country has made an impact?"
Three years later, on 14th November 2008, 8.34 pm Indian Time, India landed its flag on the moon.
"You should put a flag on the moon," Dr Kalam said. "How else will you let the world know your country has made an impact?"
Three years later, on 14th November 2008, 8.34 pm Indian Time, India landed its flag on the moon.