August 23rd Has Been Designated as “National Space Day” by the Indian Government

Nitin Konde, Bhoraniya Huda Hifzur Rehman

Aug 13, 2024 — 3 min read

August 23rd Has Been Designated as “National Space Day” by the Indian Government

In honour of the incredible achievements of the Chandrayaan-3 Mission—including the gentle and safe landing of the Vikram Lander and the deployment of the Pragyaan rover on the lunar surface close to the South Pole—the Indian government has designated August 23rd as "National Space Day."

India has become the first country to land near the Moon's south pole and the fourth country overall to accomplish this historic feat, joining an exclusive club of spacefaring nations.

It was stated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi that "National Space Day" will be commemorated annually on August 23–following the landing of Vikram rover. The momentous landing of Isro's Chandrayaan-3 on the moon's south pole on August 23, 2023, was an accomplishment for India.

Despite the setback of the Chandrayaan-2 crash landing four years prior, India became the first country to perform a landing in this region with this accomplishment.

Application of Space Technologies in the Fisheries Sector

The leadership of Dr. Abhilaskh Likhi on the "Application of Space Technologies in Fisheries Sector" to honour the Chandrayaan-3 Mission's outstanding success.

The Communication & Navigation System for the maritime domain, space-based observation and its impact on enhancing the fisheries sector, and Space Technology in Fisheries—An overview are some of the subjects that will be covered during these 18 lectures and demos.

Various stakeholders, such as the Indian Space Research Organisation (INSCOIS), New Space India Ltd., state and union fisheries departments, ICAR fisheries research institutes, fishermen, Sagar Mitras, FFPOs, cooperatives, and college and university students will take part in the hybrid mode.

How Space and Marine Life Are Closely Connected

The management and growth of marine fisheries in India can be greatly improved with the use of space technologies. Revolutionary shifts occurred in the field as a result of developments in technologies like as GIS, Earth Observations, Satellite Communication, Data Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, and Satellite-Based Navigation Systems.

Using satellites such as Ocean-sat and INSAT, scientists can track ocean colour, chlorophyll content, and sea surface temperature to find good fishing spots.

They can also use this data to detect blooms of phytoplankton, sediment, and contaminants, which help us understand how healthy the ocean is. The mission of Earth Observations is to optimise fishing operations while guaranteeing safety by monitoring ocean currents, waves, and extreme weather threats using satellites such as INSAT, Ocean-sat, SAR, etc.

With the help of GIS mapping, we can identify marine habitats, fishing grounds, and protected areas, and with the help of Navigation with the Indian Constellation (NavIC), we can follow fishing vessels using satellite-based navigation systems.

With the help of satellites, it may be feasible to communicate when at sea. In order to enhance maritime domain awareness, safety, and the livelihood of fishermen, data can be exchanged in real-time between vessels, shore-based stations, and research institutes through satellite-based communication networks.

Utilising data from several sources, data analytics and AI have the ability to forecast fish distributions, identify outliers, and enhance fisheries management. By using satellite monitoring to identify illicit operations, provide support for aqua mapping, and issue disaster warnings, these cutting-edge solutions improve maritime efficiency and safety. Furthermore, aqua zoning and image sensing provide accurate instruments for efficient fisheries management.