Newindpress

Mangalore, Apr 24: While Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)-C8 successfully blasted off into space history on Monday, its miniature replica is now proudly displayed at the unique Manjusha museum in Dharmasthala.

A fortnight ago a couple of scientists from ISRO’s Master Control Facility (MCF) in Hassan visited Dharmasthala and handed a miniature model of 44-metre tall PSLV, which placed Italian satellite AGILE into orbit at 550 km above earth. Every time ISRO launched a satellite either from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) at Sriharikota or Kourou in French Guyana, the miniatures were personally brought and left at Dharmasthala. The scientists later returned with the sacred prasadam.

Some replicas were shifted to the engineering college in Dharwad, run by SDME society, to motivate students. Others like INSAT-4A (December 2005) and INSAT-4C (July 2006) are on display at the museum, which works under direct supervision of Shree Kshetra Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Dr D. Veerendra Heggade.

This ‘unique operation’ has been in vogue for more than two decades. Temple sources told Express that 20 years ago a satellite launched by ISRO developed a snag and its solar panel did not open. A team of scientists from MCF then visited Dharmasthala and offered prayers.

The unsucessful launch of INSAT-4C in 2006 has not dented the faith of these scientists on Lord Manjunathaswamy. ‘‘This practice has born from an intense belief of a few scientists and has nothing to do with ISRO,’’ sources clarified.