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=== Formative years === Modern space research in India can be traced to the 1920s, when scientist [[Sisir Kumar Mitra|S. K. Mitra]] conducted a series of experiments sounding the [[ionosphere]] through ground-based radio in [[Kolkata]].{{sfn|Daniel|1992|pp=486}} Later, Indian scientists like [[C. V. Raman]] and [[Meghnad Saha]] contributed to scientific principles applicable in space sciences.{{sfn|Daniel|1992|pp=486}} After 1945, important developments were made in coordinated space research in India{{sfn|Daniel|1992|pp=486}} by two scientists: Vikram Sarabhai, founder of the [[Physical Research Laboratory]] at [[Ahmedabad]], and [[Homi J. Bhabha|Homi Bhabha]], who established the [[Tata Institute of Fundamental Research]] in 1945.{{sfn|Daniel|1992|pp=486}} Initial experiments in space sciences included the study of [[Cosmic ray|cosmic radiation]], high-altitude and airborne testing, deep underground experimentation at the [[Particle experiments at Kolar Gold Fields|Kolar mines]]—one of the deepest mining sites in the world—and studies of the [[Atmosphere of Earth|upper atmosphere]].{{sfn|Daniel|1992|pp=487}} These studies were done at research laboratories, universities, and independent locations.{{sfn|Daniel|1992|pp=487}}{{sfn|Daniel|1992|pp=488}} In 1950, the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) was founded with Bhabha as its [[Secretary to the Government of India|secretary]].{{sfn|Daniel|1992|pp=488}} It provided funding for space research throughout India.{{sfn|Daniel|1992|pp=489}} During this time, tests continued on aspects of [[meteorology]] and the [[Earth's magnetic field]], a topic that had been studied in India since the establishment of the [[Colaba Observatory]] in 1823. In 1954, the [[Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences]] (ARIES) was established in the foothills of the Himalayas.{{sfn|Daniel|1992|pp=488}} The Rangpur Observatory was set up in 1957 at [[Osmania University]], [[Hyderabad]]. Space research was further encouraged by the government of India.{{sfn|Daniel|1992|pp=489}} In 1957, the Soviet Union launched [[Sputnik 1]] and opened up possibilities for the rest of the world to conduct a space launch.{{sfn|Daniel|1992|pp=489}} INCOSPAR was set up in 1962 by the Prime Minister [[Jawaharlal Nehru]] on the suggestion of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai.{{sfn|Sadeh|2013|pp=303-}} Initially there was no dedicated ministry for the space programme and all activities of INCOSPAR relating to space technology continued to function within the DAE.<ref name="DAE">{{Cite web |url=http://www.dae.nic.in/?q=node%2F394 |title=Government of India Atomic Energy Commission | Department of Atomic Energy |access-date=21 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190829222918/http://dae.nic.in/?q=node%2F394 |archive-date=29 August 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref>{{sfn|Bhargava|Chakrabarti|2003|pp=39}} [[Indian Ordnance Factories Service|IOFS]] officers were drawn from the [[Directorate of Ordnance (Coordination & Services)|Indian Ordnance Factories]] to harness their knowledge of propellants and advanced light materials used to build rockets.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thehitavada.com/Encyc/2021/9/19/-Success-is-yours-failure-is-mine-makes-one-a-great-leader-Mujumdar.html |title='Success is yours, failure is mine' makes one a great leader: Mujumdar |access-date=6 December 2022 |archive-date=6 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206214943/https://www.thehitavada.com/Encyc/2021/9/19/-Success-is-yours-failure-is-mine-makes-one-a-great-leader-Mujumdar.html |url-status=live }}</ref> [[H. G. S. Murthy]], an IOFS officer, was appointed the first director of the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-i-m-proud-that-i-recommended-him-for-isro-ev-chitnis-2109096 |title=I'm proud that I recommended him for ISRO: EV Chitnis |first=Ashwini |last=Pawar |date=29 July 2015 |website=DNA India |access-date=13 July 2021 |archive-date=9 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709211836/https://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-i-m-proud-that-i-recommended-him-for-isro-ev-chitnis-2109096 |url-status=live}}</ref> where [[sounding rocket]]s were fired, marking the start of upper atmospheric research in India.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.isro.gov.in/about-isro |title=About ISRO – ISRO |access-date=28 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328065955/https://www.isro.gov.in/about-isro |archive-date=28 March 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> An indigenous series of sounding rockets named [[Rohini (rocket family)|Rohini]] was subsequently developed and started undergoing launches from 1967 onwards.<ref>{{cite news |last=Chari |first=Sridhar K |title=Sky is not the limit |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060722/saturday/main1.htm |access-date=14 March 2021 |newspaper=The Tribune |date=22 July 2006 |archive-date=19 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919142847/https://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060722/saturday/main1.htm |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Waman Dattatreya Patwardhan]], another IOFS officer, developed the propellant for the rockets.
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