The intellectual arrangement strives to preserve provenance and original order of the papers. Where an original order could not be found, the Archives has applied an order, and folders within sub-series are arranged usually in chronological or alphabetical order. See Scope and Content section for details.
Collection is open for access unless mentioned in specific folders of the finding aid.
This collection contains material related to history of space science in India. It contains material from various donors. RD John was an engineer who worked at Department of Space, ISRO. His material includes a autobiographical note and other writings on infrastructure development for the space programme in India. VJ Sundaram is a retired military officer who was part of the missile development programme in collaboration with ISRO. His material includes photographs taken with colleagues during the PRITHVI missile programme and writings on his experiences in the army and the space programme in India.
Copyright may not have been assigned to Archives, National Centre for Biological Sciences. Permission for reproduction or distribution must be obtained in writing from the Archives at NCBS (archives@ncbs.res.in). The Archives at NCBS makes no representation that it is the copyright owner in all of its collections. The user must obtain all necessary rights and clearances before use of material and material may only be reproduced for academic and non-commercial use.
RD John was an engineer who worked at Department of Space, ISRO.
VJ Sundaram is a retired military officer who was part of the missile development programme in collaboration with ISRO.
When quoting from this material, kindly use the following format: Collection id/identifier, name of collection, Archives (Eg SD-001-1-1-1-1, Small Donations - Space Sciences, Archives at NCBS).
Access Level: Open/Online.
Access Level: Open/Online.
Biographical note -- RD John
Typed biographical note on RD John, given by John. Covers his work from 1963 till the 2000s. Includes construction and civil engineering work at Dept of Atomic Energy, Thumba Equitorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS), ISRO, National Remote Sensing agency, Satish Dhawan Space Centre, NCBS, Indian Institute of Astrophysics, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Centre for Applicable Mathematics
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Access Level: Open/Online.
Reflection on the space construction programme, written by RD John, and published in Forerunner in June 1989.
Access Level: Request. Available upon request. See
Book on "Infrastructure Development for Indian Space Programme by Civil Engineering Division" written by RD John. Includes foreword by UR Rao
Access Level: Request. Available upon request. See
Book on "Challenges and Successes in Construction Projects" written by RD John. Published by Hi-Tech Engineers Consortium Pvt Ltd, Bangalore.
Access Level: Request. Available upon request. See
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Access Level: Open/Online.
Cover of Commemorative Volume - PRITHVI
Personal copy of the cover page of the house journal of DRDL community commemorating the anniversary of the PRITHVI Missile Launch
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Suggestion At Aero Society Of India Meeting 1998 By Outgoing President VJ Sundaram
Print out of VJ Sundaram's presentation at the Aero Society of India Meeting 1998 for the National Program for Micro Air Vehicles – DRDO (AR&DB) and DST.
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Proof copy of a DRDO publication titled 'Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme Book' with Preface authored by VJ Sundaram.
Access Level: Request. Available upon request. See
Magazine published on occasion of Vijay Diwas, signifying military victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war. V J Sundaram was a Member of the Editorial Board
Access Level: Request. Available upon request. See
Proof copy of the autobiography by VJ Sundaram.
Access Level: Request. Available upon request. See
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AGNI Launch
Photograph of Launch of AGNI missile
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Count Down Document PRITHVI Mission Coordinator Division ITR Chandipur
Photograph of Count Down Document PRITHVI containing signatures from the team.
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First User PMF – 13 DEC 09. Presented by Officers and Ships Company of INS Subhadra
Photograph of First User PMF presented by officers and ships company of INS Subhadra
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Untitled: VJ Sundaram at Aeronautical Society of India Golden Jubilee Celebrations
Photograph of V J Sundaram at Aeronautical Society of India Golden Jubilee Celebrations along with other scientists.
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The President of India – Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. Congratulations on the Prithvi
Photograph of President APJ Abdul Kalam Congratulating the team on Prithvi Missile Launch.
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Untitled: V J Sundaram and team beside PRITHVI launch site
Photograph of V J Sundaram and team beside PRITHVI launch site
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Untitled: V J Sundaram with Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda
Photograph Of V J Sundaram with Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda
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An Award of a Lifetime to Lt. Gen. (Dr.) V.J. Sundaram
Photograph titled "An Award of a Lifetime to Lt. Gen. (Dr.) V.J. Sundaram." Caption Reads – "Hard Work Pays: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh presenting the Life Time Achievement Award 2003 to Lt. Gen. (Dr.) V.J. Sundaram (Retd.) for his contribution to the development of Prithvi, Trishul, Agni, Akash, and Nag Missiles, as well as LCA at the DRDO Awards function, in New Delhi".
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V J Sundaram Mission Director Enemy Target 30 Nov 2006
Photograph of V J Sundaram as Programme Director along with his team.
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Untitled: V J Sundaram Programme Director along with team
Photograph of V J Sundaram Programme Director along with team.
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Untitled: V J Sundaram with Mulayam Singh Yadav
Photograph of V J Sundaram with the then Defence Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav.
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Count Down Document PII-19D (DHANUSH)
Photograph of Count Down Document PII-19D (DHANUSH) containing signatures from the team.
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Interviewing the President – IGMDP Book
Photograph of V J Sundaram interviewing President APJ Abdul Kalam
Access Level: Open/Online.