Vikram Sarabhai was born on August 12, 1919. An Indian physicist and astronomer who initiated space research and helped develop nuclear power in India. He was honored with Padma Bhushan in 1966 and the Padma Vibhushan (posthumously) in 1972. He is internationally regarded as the Father of the Indian Space Program. Known as the cradle of space sciences in India, the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) was founded in 1947 by Sarabhai. PRL had a modest beginning at his residence, the “RETREAT”, with research on cosmic rays and the properties of the upper atmosphere. Research areas were expanded to include theoretical physics and radio physics later with grants from the Atomic Energy Commission.














