An Untold Story from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR The Spaceport of India Sriharikota (AP)
Satish Dhawan was a true leader who inspired and motivated his team to achieve great things. His trust, accountability, humility, and positivity were all key factors in his success.
Satish Dhawan was a true leader who inspired and motivated his team to achieve remarkable results. Trust, accountability, humility, and positivity were all keys to his success.
The way Dhawan allowed his team to be creative and take risks demonstrated his trust in them. Having known that they were capable of remarkable things, he gave them the opportunity to prove it. As a result of this trust, a positive and productive work environment was created where everyone felt valued and respected.
Also, Dhawan was humble and shared credit with his team. It was his team members' hard work and dedication that led to his success, and he did not take credit for their accomplishments. This humility created a sense of ownership and pride among his team members and motivated them to strive for excellence.
An incident that exemplifies true leadership
The incident that happened in 1979 during the SLV project (first Indian Satellite Launch Vehicle) by ISRO, involving Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Prof. Satish Dhawan, showcases the true essence of leadership and trust.
The launch of the first experimental rocket, 'Rohini Technology Payload,' was eagerly anticipated by the entire nation. However, just four minutes before the launch, the computer program put the launch on hold due to control component issues. At a critical moment, Dr. Kalam, the Project Director, decided to bypass the computer and launch the rocket manually. Unfortunately, the rocket system plunged into the Bay of Bengal instead of reaching orbit, resulting in a significant failure.
Prof. Satish Dhawan, the ISRO Chairman, took responsibility for the failure and shielded Dr. Kalam from media criticism. He displayed exceptional leadership by stating,
"We failed! But I have trust in my team that next time we will succeed for sure," thus instilling confidence in the team and garnering belief in their abilities.
The following year, under Dr. Kalam's leadership, the team successfully launched Rohini RS-1 into orbit on July 18, 1980. This brought immense pride to the country. Prof. Dhawan congratulated Dr. Kalam and entrusted him to conduct the press conference, highlighting his unwavering support and faith in his team.
Prof. Satish Dhawan took responsibility for the failure but also empowered his team to succeed. His trust in the team and willingness to bear the brunt of failure created an environment where they could learn, grow, and ultimately succeed. It is a testament to a remarkable leader's qualities and serves as an inspiring example for others to follow.
Satish Dhawan's legacy
Satish Dhawan was a highly respected scientist and engineer. He made significant contributions to the Indian space program. He is considered one of the most prominent figures in Indian space exploration.
He was an Indian mathematician and aerospace engineer, widely regarded as the father of experimental fluid dynamics research in India. He succeeded M. G. K. Menon, as the third chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in 1972.
During his tenure, Dhawan oversaw the successful launch of several significant space programs. This included the launch of the first Indian satellite, Aryabhata, in 1975. He is also credited with the development of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), which is one of the most successful launch vehicles in the world.
Dhawan's legacy lives on in the Indian space program. His work has helped India become a major player in the global space community. He inspires scientists and engineers around the world.
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