This prompted many competitive countries to develop their own technology, not only as a display of power but also to also match steps with the cutting-edge work being done in space science. For example, in 1958, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) was established to counter the USSR’s then-fledgling space ambitions. This was their next step to becoming a world leader.

Another country to enter the game was China. The perceived nuclear threat from the US (and later the USSR) forced China’s Chairman Mao to use space technology to create ballistic missiles and weapons. He considered it a military necessity to ensure national security.

All this inspired Sarabhai to get India her own space program. But for a country that had only just won its independence and was wrestling with serious developmental and other challenges, was it reasonable to invest in space exploration, which was then only meant for ‘elite nations’? The resource-scarce government wasn’t convinced.

Sarabhai had an answer for this. He noted:

"There are some who question the relevance of space activities in a developing nation. To us, there is no ambiguity of purpose. We do not have the fantasy of competing with the economically advanced nations in the exploration of the moon or the planets or manned space flight. But we are convinced that if we are to play a meaningful role nationally, and in the community of nations, we must be second to none in the application of advanced technologies to the real problems of man and society."

Sarabhai’s space program was oriented towards elevating the lives of ordinary folk. He wanted to use weather and communication satellites for tsunami and flood warnings and rescue services. He also wanted to use satellite television for direct broadcast in villages – so that children could be educated and villagers informed about farming, health, hygiene and family planning.