The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched its Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, designated PSLV-C62, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota today. This significant achievement has once again turned the national spotlight onto India's ambitious and growing space programme. It also prompts an intriguing comparison between the high-stakes drama of rocket launches as shown in films and the grounded, precise reality of missions controlled from ISRO's centres.
The Meticulous Reality of a PSLV Launch
A mission like PSLV-C62 is never a spontaneous event. It is the culmination of years of meticulous planning, followed by weeks and months of rigorous final checks and simulations. By the time the countdown enters its final hours, engineers have already run through every possible scenario—both nominal and off-nominal—multiple times, with every piece of data carefully recorded and analysed.
The atmosphere inside the mission control room is one of focused calm, not chaotic urgency. Engineers communicate only when necessary, and there are no dramatic, last-second interventions during the designated lift-off window. The actual launch, lasting mere minutes, represents thousands of hours of prior, painstaking work. While the lift-off is visually spectacular, the most critical moments for mission success are the confirmation of satellite separation and its precise insertion into the intended orbit.
Cinematic Liberties: Bollywood and Hollywood Portrayals
Indian cinema, particularly films like 'Mission Mangal', has played a pivotal role in popularising ISRO's work and bringing the stories of its scientists into living rooms across the country. These films often blend science with patriotism and personal struggles to deliver an emotional payoff. However, they frequently take creative liberties.
Bollywood narratives often depict scientists racing against the clock during countdowns, with emotional breakthroughs conveniently solving complex technical glitches. The spotlight tends to shine on individual 'hero' moments, which can overshadow the essence of systematic teamwork that defines ISRO. In reality, ISRO's protocols are specifically designed to prevent such last-minute drama; any unresolved issue would lead to a hold or scrub, not a dramatic fix.
Hollywood, with films like 'Apollo 13' and 'First Man', is often praised for its realistic depiction of mission control discipline and engineering challenges, which comes closer to ISRO's actual working style. Yet, even these films amplify tension by compressing timelines, showing near-catastrophic sequences, or emphasising interpersonal conflict during launches to serve the narrative. These elements make for gripping cinema but diverge significantly from the controlled real-world environment.
Why Real ISRO Success Feels 'Undramatic'
Paradoxically, a successful ISRO mission is designed to be uneventful. Silence in mission control is a sign that all complex systems are performing exactly as calibrated. Celebrations are reserved for after data confirmation from the satellite, not at the moment of lift-off. This culture of meticulous functioning and discipline is the bedrock upon which ISRO has built its global reputation for reliability and cost-efficiency—a narrative compelling in its own right, even without cinematic flair.
The launch of PSLV-C62, like its predecessors, did not resemble a movie climax. There was no background score, no emotional monologues, and no reliance on sudden miracles. It was a testament to precision engineering and collective expertise. Reports indicate the mission faced an anomaly towards the end of the PS3 stage, a reminder that space exploration remains a formidable challenge, where outcomes are dictated by physics and preparation, not plot convenience.
In conclusion, while cinema serves to dramatise and humanise the quest for the stars, ISRO's true story is written in the language of quiet precision, relentless verification, and unparalleled teamwork. That is its most powerful and inspiring narrative.
