Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Knowledge Centre and Space Museum to be ready in 18 months

Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Knowledge Centre and Space Museum to be ready in 18 months

Subject : Science and Technology

Section: Space technology

Context:

• The Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Knowledge Centre and Space Museum is expected to be ready in 18 months at Kowdiar in the State capital (Kerala).

Details:

• The Centre is jointly promoted by the State government and the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC).
• The project, planned on 1.3 acres close to the Kowdiar Palace, was originally conceived in 2016, but was delayed on account of the heritage committee objecting to the initial design.
• Contributions of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam:
  • Pioneer in Fiberglass Technology:
    • He was a pioneer in fibreglass technology and led a young team to initiate this effort in ISRO from design, and development leading to the production of composite rocket motor cases.
  • Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-3):
    • He made a significant contribution as Project Director to develop India’s first indigenous Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-3) which successfully injected the Rohini satellite into Near-Earth Orbit in July 1980 and made India an exclusive member of the Space Club.
    • He was responsible for the evolution of ISRO’s launch vehicle programme, particularly the PSLV configuration.
  • Indigenous Guided Missiles:
    • After working for two decades in ISRO and mastering launch vehicle technologies, he took up the responsibility of developing Indigenous Guided Missiles at the DRDO.
      • He was the Chief Executive of Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP).
    • He led to the weaponization of strategic missile systems and the Pokhran-II nuclear tests in collaboration with the Department of Atomic Energy, which made India a nuclear weapon State.
  • Technology Vision 2020:
    • In 1998, he put forward a countrywide plan called Technology Vision 2020, which he described as a road map for transforming India from a less-developed to a developed society in 20 years.
      • The plan called for, among other measures, increasing agricultural productivity, emphasising technology as a vehicle for economic growth, and widening access to health care and education.
  • Medical and Healthcare:
    • APJ Abdul Kalam in collaboration with cardiologist B. Soma Raju designed a cost-effective coronary stent known as ‘Kalam-Raju-Stent’ for coronary heart disease which made healthcare accessible to all.
    • The device led to a reduction of prices of imported coronary stents in India by more than 50%.
  • Light Combat Aircraft project:
    • He was deeply involved in the country’s Light Combat Aircraft project.
    • He had been associated with avionics. He also became the first Indian Head of State to fly a fighter plane. His first aeronautical project led him to design India’s first indigenous hovercraft ‘Nandi”.
      • A hovercraft is a vehicle that can travel over land, water, mud and ice by lifting itself off the ground with large blowers that create an air cushion beneath the craft.
  • Others:
    • He was passionate about bringing rural prosperity through PURA (Providing Urban Amenities to Rural Areas), in which science and technology have to play a key role.
    • Based on his diverse experience he propagated the concept of a World Knowledge Platform through which the core competencies of organizations and nations can be synergized to innovate and create solutions and products for the challenges of the 21st century.