"This will be very significant leap forward." commentator was speaking on DD. With huge excitement he explained how capabilities of this vehicle was three times of current vehicle. I was watching live launch telecast for the first time. What was carrying India's dream was ASLV-D4, capable of carrying 150 kg to LEO. for me, till date it remains one the most exciting launch telecast watched.
Excitement level continued to be high for some time, but with PSLV, seeing launches became more of predictable celebrations. yes, each launch carried some 'first time' feature where you were supposed to hold your breath and I did that dutifully, but still, expectation slowly settled to only happy ending. A particular success now was no longer meant that Indian dream was alive. It was alive anyway.
Then came GSLV. thankfully however for me, I didn't notice developments there initially for reasons like wonderful PSLV, cryogenic engine was anyway not indigenous, my own inability to watch launches for few years in between. but by 2010, it appeared like India dream wont stay alive if GSLV doesn't take it over. We had own cryogenic engine too with GSLV D3. Its failure was very disappointing.
We were back to non indigenous cryogenic engine in next launch - but whatever, it was still a GSLV and I took my seat in front of TV. In a minute of launch, a fire ball, shattered pieces of rocket - no, of India's dream, was on screen. that was one of the most acute shock and despair that I experienced.
Watching launches after that were exactly opposite to what I started with. Now, I didn't feel excited with success but was anxious about failure.
Fast forward to yesterday night. it was.. deviation from path? it seems to be correcting itself. Again?, no no its fine probably. Freefall? holding breath for non significant few moments and when next tick didn't appear, accepting that it was gone most probably. There was no feeling of despair even after that acceptance.
So, today ISRO has come a long way. It is not so small that one success would hugely boost its capability and its not so weak that one failure would put any question mark on India's dream. Now, one particular success or failure is just that. one particular success or failure.
We have learned from childhood that we should not get too excited in success and not despair in failure. Now I think it implies, be advanced and strong (and therefore able and confident) enough where success or failure doesn't affect path you are walking on anymore, for what you see in front of you causes those emotions.
Excitement level continued to be high for some time, but with PSLV, seeing launches became more of predictable celebrations. yes, each launch carried some 'first time' feature where you were supposed to hold your breath and I did that dutifully, but still, expectation slowly settled to only happy ending. A particular success now was no longer meant that Indian dream was alive. It was alive anyway.
Then came GSLV. thankfully however for me, I didn't notice developments there initially for reasons like wonderful PSLV, cryogenic engine was anyway not indigenous, my own inability to watch launches for few years in between. but by 2010, it appeared like India dream wont stay alive if GSLV doesn't take it over. We had own cryogenic engine too with GSLV D3. Its failure was very disappointing.
We were back to non indigenous cryogenic engine in next launch - but whatever, it was still a GSLV and I took my seat in front of TV. In a minute of launch, a fire ball, shattered pieces of rocket - no, of India's dream, was on screen. that was one of the most acute shock and despair that I experienced.
Watching launches after that were exactly opposite to what I started with. Now, I didn't feel excited with success but was anxious about failure.
Fast forward to yesterday night. it was.. deviation from path? it seems to be correcting itself. Again?, no no its fine probably. Freefall? holding breath for non significant few moments and when next tick didn't appear, accepting that it was gone most probably. There was no feeling of despair even after that acceptance.
So, today ISRO has come a long way. It is not so small that one success would hugely boost its capability and its not so weak that one failure would put any question mark on India's dream. Now, one particular success or failure is just that. one particular success or failure.
We have learned from childhood that we should not get too excited in success and not despair in failure. Now I think it implies, be advanced and strong (and therefore able and confident) enough where success or failure doesn't affect path you are walking on anymore, for what you see in front of you causes those emotions.