A few days back, around 6 pm, an electrifying energy swept through our office, compelling everyone to stand up and clap in spontaneous unison. The reason for this burst of exuberance was monumental: Chandrayaan-3 had successfully touched down on the moon’s south pole. Pictures from friends depicted people gathered around TV screens in railway stations, sharing in the collective celebration of a remarkable achievement.
For someone who grew up in Trivandrum, the capital city of Kerala, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) were not distant entities; they were an integral part of our lives. Friends’ parents worked there, and fathers had friends who were part of ISRO’s journey. You’d spot the distinctive VSSC buses while waiting for your school bus, a symbol of the remarkable journey unfolding in our backyard. The mere mention of ISRO evokes a flood of memories—of aspirations, inspirations, and a deep-rooted connection.
Below are 10 lessons we can learn from this mission about staying relentless in the pursuit of our goals.
1. Genesis at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre
VSSC: A Legacy of Dreams and Ambitions: Established by the visionary Dr. Vikram Sarabhai in 1963, the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre served as the crucible of India’s space aspirations. Dr. Sarabhai’s vision ignited the spark that ignited ISRO’s journey.
2.Triumphs Amidst Trials
Early Triumphs and Challenges: ISRO’s journey commenced with the launch of the Aryabhata satellite in 1975—a significant stride for a nation venturing into space exploration. In fact, I remember the test rockets used to be launched at a particular time every week evening and in a time when you didn’t TV and other gizmos to keep your evenings entertained remember watching these rockets going up from my house terrace multiple times. Amid these triumphs, there were trials; the Rohini satellite launch vehicle encountered failures, underscoring the uphill path ISRO was navigating. I remember there was a period when several of their projects failed to take off but it the relentless perseverance of the leadership team at ISRO that saw them overcome these multiple obstacles.
3. PSLV: A Testament to Perseverance
From Setbacks to PSLV Success: ISRO’s response to failures showcased an unyielding spirit. The Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV) program faced adversities in the 1990s, yet ISRO’s resolve remained unshaken. This unwavering determination led to the development of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), revolutionizing ISRO’s capabilities.
4. Mars Orbiter Mission: Dreaming Beyond Limits
Mangalyaan: A Defining Achievement: ISRO’s zenith was reached with the Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) in 2014—a testament to India’s capacity to dream big and accomplish the extraordinary.
5. Overcoming Sanctions and Creating Vendors
Challenges as Opportunities: ISRO faced sanctions during the cold war period and beyond that restricted access to advanced technologies. However, these challenges spurred indigenous innovation. ISRO’s cost-effective solutions and self-reliance reshaped the landscape of space exploration, harnessing India’s resourcefulness and fostering a robust vendor network. This is the reason why Indias moon landing missions are at 35 to 40% cost of the other countries.
6. Embracing Micro Successes: Lessons from ISRO’s Journey
Micro Successes: The Foundation of Macro Achievements: While ISRO’s achievements are monumental, they are built upon countless micro successes—small wins that accumulate over time. The meticulous analysis of failures leading to improvements, the unwavering pursuit of excellence, and the ability to adapt and collaborate—these are the micro successes that lay the groundwork for grand triumphs.
7. Resilience Amidst Adversity: ISRO’s journey teaches us that setbacks are not roadblocks; they are opportunities for growth. By nurturing resilience in the face of adversity, we can transform challenges into platforms that propel us toward our goals.
8. Turning Failures into Foundations: ISRO’s meticulous analysis of failures leading to improvements serves as a potent lesson. Similarly, we can derive insights from our own missteps, adapt our strategies, and refine our approaches toward our objectives am aim for those small success more regularly which not only motivates us to continue on the planned journey but also reach the final destinations that you are aiming for.
9. Endurance Forged Through Persistence: ISRO’s history underscores the power of persistence. Consistently pursuing our objectives despite obstacles can pave the way for extraordinary accomplishments that stand as testament to our commitment.
10. Harnessing the Power of Collaboration: ISRO’s achievements are a result of collective effort. In our individual journeys, seeking collaboration and support can amplify our potential for success, just as ISRO’s collaborations with international partners have enhanced their missions. This is particularly true in today’s world where we find organizations competing with each other in one sector rather than collaborating.
To continue receiving insights into leadership skills and stories of unyielding pursuits like the one above of ISRO of translating the weekly test rocket launches to the landing on the moon by being relentless towards your goals please subscribe to my new LinkedIn newsletter, “Rejo’s Biz Bytes,” and explore my website at www.rejofrancis.com.
