Grade 11 Field Trip - Sriharikota

The students of NPS International School were buzzing with excitement as they piled onto the bus before sunrise on August 16th, for a riveting experience. Their destination? The prestigious Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, one of the hearts of India's space exploration efforts, where today they were about to see the EOS-08 Earth Observation Satellite soar into space aboard the ISRO’s Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV)-D3. The anticipation to witness a live rocket launch had students on the edge of their seats.

Upon arrival at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, the students were ushered into the visitor's gallery, where they had a clear view of the towering SSLV-D3 on the launch pad. The atmosphere was electric as the countdown began. At exactly 9:17 am, with a rumble that reverberated through the ground, the SSLV-D3 lifted off, crossing the sky with a fiery trail.

The students watched in awe as the rocket climbed higher and higher, their eyes glued to the clear blue sky. Seventeen minutes later, cheers erupted in the gallery as the EOS-08 satellite was successfully injected into its intended orbit, 475 kilometres above Earth. ISRO Chairman S Somanath’s voice echoed through the gallery, announcing the flawless success of the mission, marking the completion of the SSLV's development phase. The excitement didn’t end with the launch. The students were taken on a guided tour of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre’s museum, where they delved into the rich history of India’s space missions. From the early days of ISRO to the latest technological advancements, the museum was a treasure trove of knowledge.

The students marvelled at the scale models of rockets and satellites, learning about the incredible engineering feats that had propelled India into the ranks of leading spacefaring nations. They discovered how the EOS-08 satellite, now orbiting Earth, would play a crucial role in environmental monitoring, disaster management, and even ocean surface wind analysis.

As the tour continued, the students got a sneak peek into ISRO’s upcoming projects. They learned about the transfer of SSLV technology to the private sector, a move that would make space more accessible and affordable. The students left the centre with a renewed sense of wonder and a deeper appreciation for the brilliance behind India's space missions.

As the bus headed back to school, the students were abuzz with stories to share. They had witnessed a rocket launch as well as gained insights into the incredible work happening behind the scenes at ISRO. For these young minds, the day had been an inspiring journey into the future of space exploration—one that they would never forget.