When Satellite launched us!

There are some days which get etched in your memory. From a year earlier multiple memories were made and now a year hence here I am reliving and relishing the days. 

I became a member of the Student Satellite Project in March 2016. But on this day I realised that I didn't just join a project, I joined a Family, I joined a Journey, I too have joined the Dream shared by hundreds. On 26th September 2016, Pratham - IIT Bombay's First Student Satellite was launched, taking along the dream of hundreds of students have worked in the team and making hundreds more to dream bigger. 

Being a freshman in a room full of seniors having worked in the team, the excitement of the launch was high. But that was it we new team members were merely excited, the seniors, on the other hand, had a glow in their eyes. Their child whom they built was going to space. Their years of hard work and patience was finally paying off. When Pratham got separated from the PSLV and finally deployed in the orbit, the glow in their eyes melted into tears. The same set of people who had erupted in a joyous shout on Lift-Off were suddenly silent, embracing each other. Those moments can't be described in words, they can just be experienced.

The Moments after the Launch

But the Journey of Realisation didn't end there. Not receiving the signal for a few days post-launch, seniors had had sleepless nights. Yet, when called by the Governor of Maharashtra for Facilitation, you need to go. We were given a bus for the travel and we were like "atleast the bus could have AC". While coming back the moods were good. But then again an email changed the atmosphere in the bus completely. The satellite signals were received in London. We asked for the signal audio, a senior in the team decoded the signal right there in the bus by just listening, confirming Pratham was active. It felt like we were there over the top of the world with Pratham. The same bus became our own launch vehicle having launched us to the stars. 

These were the moments when you realise that launching a satellite is not just a technical task. It's a task of going against the odds, pushing your limits, being patient and most of all trusting yourself and the team. It's not just the Brain who works overtime, Heart needs to support the brain. These moments made us the members of the Team instead of just the Project. We became part of the Dream to now take the Next Step Towards the Infinity.