Teaching, Rocketry, and Resilience: Dhawan’s Dual Role

Satish Dhawan believed that scientific progress begins in the classroom. As a professor at the Indian Institute of Science, he introduced a methodology that prioritized clear problem statements before diving into equations. His lectures were peppered with probing questions, urging students to think critically.

When ISRO’s helm was offered to him after Dr. Vikram Sarabhai’s passing, Dhawan insisted on retaining his teaching responsibilities, splitting his week between Bangalore’s campus and ISRO’s operational centers. This arrangement kept him rooted in academia while steering the nation’s space agenda.

His leadership was tested when the first SLV‑3 launch failed on 10 August 1979, crashing into the Bay of Bengal. Dhawan personally addressed the nation, accepting full responsibility. Less than a year later, on 18 July 1980, the same rocket successfully placed Rohini RS‑1 into orbit, and he handed the spotlight to his young colleague A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, symbolizing the next generation’s rise.

Dhawan’s legacy is a blend of visionary engineering, steadfast mentorship, and the courage to own both triumphs and setbacks.