Tributes paid to Brahm Prakash

By Our Science Correspondent

BANGALORE, AUG. 21. The late Dr. Brahm Prakash is, perhaps, not a name that the average person will recognise. But when the Indian Institute of Science's Department of Metallurgy on Tuesday formally opened an advanced materials laboratory to mark his 89th birth anniversary, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Principal Scientific Advisor to the Union Government, Dr. R. Chidambaram, former Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, and Dr. K. Kasturirangan, chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation, were among those present to pay their tributes.

An outstanding scientist, an inspiring leader and a self-effacing person, Dr. Brahm Prakash left an indelible mark on those he worked with. He was the first Indian to head the Indian Institute of Science's Department of Metallurgy. Under his leadership the Atomic Energy's Metallurgy group developed techniques for the extraction and fabrication of a variety of nuclear grade metals.

Subsequently, he became the first Director of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre at Thiruvananthapuram and oversaw the launch vehicle programme, leading to the launch of India's first launch vehicle, SLV-3.

Dr. Kasturirangan said Dr. Brahm Prakash was a titan who laid the foundations for making India one of the few countries capable of building and launching its own satellites. The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), which was successfully launched earlier this year, was the legacy of Dr. Brahm Prakash.

The next launch of the GSLV was likely to take place in the latter half of 2002 when its payload would be increased to 1,800 kg. An improved cryogenic stage would give the GSLV the capability to put over 2,000 kg into orbit. A new version of the GSLV, now on the drawing board, would be capable of launching more than 3.5 tonnes into orbit.

Dr. Kalam remembered the encouragement given by Dr. Brahm Prakash to composite research and development. When choosing a rocket motor for APPLE, the country's first experimental communications satellite, Dr. Brahm Prakash opted for the fourth stage of the SLV-3, though a European consortium offered their motor.

Dr. Brahm Prakash was one of the pioneers of the country's extensive nuclear programme, said Dr. Chidambaram. The ``closed nuclear fuel cycle,'' which was the goal of the nuclear programme, was essentially about materials of high purity.

The country's uranium deposits were limited and far less than its coal deposits. If thorium, which India had in plenty, could be utilised through the ``closed nuclear fuel cycle,'' the country would have ample nuclear fuel for its future needs, he pointed out.

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