Vikram Sarabhai, Physicist, Founder of ISRO
Physicist, Founder of ISRO

Vikram Sarabhai

Born 12 August 1919 · Gujarat — Died 30 December 1971

Founded the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in 1969 to advance India's space capabilities.

Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai was an Indian physicist and astronomer who initiated space research and helped to develop nuclear power in India. Often regarded as the "Father of Indian space program", Sarabhai was honored with Padma Bhushan in 1966 and the Padma Vibhushan (posthumously) in 1972.

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A detail that
surprised us

“

Vikram Sarabhai’s home ‘RETREAT’ in Ahmedabad doubled as the first laboratory for cosmic ray research before PRL was formally established in 1947.

The Story

1
In 1947, inside his family home 'RETREAT' in Ahmedabad, Vikram Sarabhai founded the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), marking the birthplace of India’s space science research.
2
🌌 Sarabhai’s vision led to the launching of Aryabhata in 1975, India’s first satellite, which orbited Earth from a Russian cosmodrome four years after his death.
3🏫 Sarabhai co-founded the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) in 1961, blending his scientific rigor with education reform beyond physics.
4⚛️ He spearheaded India's nuclear power initiatives, including the Fast Breeder Test Reactor project in Kalpakkam and the Variable Energy Cyclotron Project in Calcutta, expanding India’s atomic research infrastructure.

🏅 Awards & Honours

1966
Padma Bhushan
1972
Padma Vibhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

“

Sarabhai’s PRL started research on cosmic rays from his own residence in Ahmedabad in 1947, before moving to a formal institute setup that same year.

🖼️

Through the Years

7 photographs from the archives
Vikram Sarabhai sitting fourth from left during Squibb product training in Baroda (1950)
Vikram Sarabhai sitting fourth from left during Squibb product training in Baroda (1950)
1950
Vikram Sarabhai with Sarabhai family members at a luncheon in Baroda (1951)
Vikram Sarabhai signs a satellite cooperation agreement with NASA Administrator Dr. Thomas O. Paine (1969)
Official portrait of Vikram Sarabhai, founder of the Indian Space Program
Portrait of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai

🗓️ A Life in Moments

🕊️
Birth
Born in Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai was born into a Śvetāmbara Shrimali Jain family; his father was industrialist Ambalal Sarabhai.
1919
🌟
Other
Married Mrinalini Sarabhai
Vikram Sarabhai married the classical dancer Mrinalini, merging science and culture in their family life.
1942
⚡
Career
Founded Physical Research Laboratory
PRL was formally established in Ahmedabad with initial focus on cosmic rays and upper atmosphere studies.
1947
⚡
Career
Co-founded IIMA
Vikram Sarabhai helped establish the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, advancing management education in India.
1961
🏅
Award
Received Padma Bhushan
Sarabhai was honored with the Padma Bhushan for his work in science and space research.
1966
🕊️
Death
Died of cardiac arrest in Trivandrum
Sarabhai passed away at age 52 after reviewing the SLV project, shortly after speaking with A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.
1971
🏅
Award
Awarded Padma Vibhushan posthumously
The Government of India conferred the Padma Vibhushan to Sarabhai a year after his death.
1972
⚡
Career
Launch of Aryabhata satellite
India’s first satellite, Aryabhata, was launched from a Russian cosmodrome, fulfilling Sarabhai’s vision.
1975
More moments to come...
+ Add a moment

🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 04
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

In 1966, Sarabhai was awarded the Padma Bhushan, yet the much higher Padma Vibhushan was only conferred posthumously in 1972, a year after his death.

02 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

Alongside his scientific ventures, Sarabhai founded the first market research company in India, the Operations Research Group (ORG), showing his business acumen.

03 / 04
👤PERSONAL

Sarabhai’s death in 1971 occurred shortly after a phone conversation with A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, who would later lead India’s space and missile programs.

No quote recorded for Vikram Sarabhai yet.

🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
Vikram Sarabhai: The Genius who gave us ISRO & IIM- A
More from this archive
Vikram Sarabhai: The Genius who gave us ISRO & IIM- A
01
Vikram Sarabhai: The Genius who gave us ISRO & IIM- A
Vikram Sarabhai - Space pioneer
02
Vikram Sarabhai - Space pioneer
DOCUMENTARY ON DR VIKRAM SARABHAI.
03
DOCUMENTARY ON DR VIKRAM SARABHAI.
Biography of Vikram Sarabhai, Indian physicist, industrialist & father of India's space program
04
Biography of Vikram Sarabhai, Indian physicist, industrialist & father of India's space program
Vikram Sarabhai: Father of Indian Space Programme
05
Vikram Sarabhai: Father of Indian Space Programme
Documentary on : Dr . Vikram Sarabhai , The great Indian Visionary
06
Documentary on : Dr . Vikram Sarabhai , The great Indian Visionary
Father of the Indian Space Programme
07
Father of the Indian Space Programme
Remembering Dr Vikram Sarabhai | Pioneer of ISRO | ISRO Scientist (Rtd) Yalla Siva Prasad
08
Remembering Dr Vikram Sarabhai | Pioneer of ISRO | ISRO Scientist (Rtd) Yalla Siva Prasad
Vikram sarabhai history in malayalam |ബഹിരാകാശ ഗവേഷണത്തിൻ്റെ പിതാവായ വിക്രം സാരാഭായുടെ ജീവചരിത്രം
09
Vikram sarabhai history in malayalam |ബഹിരാകാശ ഗവേഷണത്തിൻ്റെ പിതാവായ വിക്രം സാരാഭായുടെ ജീവചരിത്രം
The vision of "father of the Indian space program" Vikram Sarabhai
10
The vision of "father of the Indian space program" Vikram Sarabhai

🌱 What changed because of them

Vikram Sarabhai’s establishment of PRL and ISRO laid the foundation for India’s space exploration and satellite technology efforts, enabling later missions like Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan. His role in founding premier institutions like IIMA and the Nehru Foundation for Development reshaped Indian education and social research landscapes, anchoring science within societal progress.

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