Aravind's Blog

Phase 1:

Arranging a space exhibition show-casing ISRO technologies, its capabilities and its future plans to the general public especially targeting students and teachers. This shall be conducted in one or two universities in a major city targeting more school and college students. Bangalore shall be a good option to reach more students with higher interest as well as due to higher regional influence of space industry. This exhibition relates to display of ISRO space technologies with not limited to mock-ups of Chandrayaan-1, GSLV, PSLV but also encouraging regional schools to display their posters, drawings (e.g. innovative lunar habitat designs), a LEGO rover competition for college students which would pick the most number of stones. The exhibition shall be conducted for a period of two days with support from ISRO and NAL.

Initial steps to be taken:

• ISRO, Bangalore and VSSC, Trivandrum to be approached by SEDS-India Chapter. Main contacts shall be asked for ISRO’s contribution.
• The Publications and Public Relation Division should be contacted for booklets of Chandrayaan-I (and possibly Chandrayaan-II), launchers etc.
• In addition sponsorships from industrial sources such as private companies for display of their banners or logo, in regions of this exhibitions.
• Point of contact (for ISRO) in SEDS Chapter to be arranged.

 Separate SEDS Chapter entitled “Destination Moon” is a good option for discussion from now on.

Phase 2:

Developing an “encyclopedia” of lunar and astronomical images with mainly pictures and short notes for school children. The pictures may be from Apollo era of the moon when astronauts walked on the surface to pictures of the universe especially, bright astronomy pictures of the galaxy which would attract young students. It would contain small notes on the bottom of the pictures to answer questions such as what is the object in the picture, why do you like it, and draw it yourself. The books can be supplied to teachers, parents for educating the children or even the students itself (depending on the availability). Small prize awards for knowledgeable can also be arranged in the meantime based on a suitable criteria.

Phase 3:

Workshops in schools and colleges on a suitable theme on lunar exploration (shall be discussed later).

Phase 4:

A student competition to be held (entirely online) in cooperation with ISRO, for selecting a student to participate in SEDSIC 2008 in the lunar rover competition. Since, this conference is held outside India, it is important to arrange participation of one or two Indian students. The prize money shall be a travel trip to Glasgow and back. Competition details and rules should be discussed. Then it shall be published on online forum or even the media (newspapers) to allow participation of students from across the country.

 [Note: Phase 2, 3 and 4 of this project shall be completed in any order]