APJ Abdul Kalam Death Anniversary: Why Was APJ Abdul Kalam Known As The Missile Man?

Today is the 7th death anniversary of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, the 11th President of India. He was popularly known as Missile Man. But do you know why, let’s find out!

APJ Abdul Kalam Death Anniversary: ​​Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, the 11th President of India and a remarkable thinker, writer, and scientist, passed away seven years ago today. 

Even though Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam is no longer among us, his idealized life still motivates every citizen to keep advancing in life and climbing the ladder to achievement.

The most well-liked President of India passed away on July 27, 2015, in Shillong. Between 2002 through 2007, APJ Abdul Kalam—also referred to as the “People’s President”—led India as its eleventh president.

Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam was not just an aerospace scientist but also India’s 11th president from 2002 to 2007. 

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He served at the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and the Indian Space Research Organization, making important contributions to the nation’s defense (ISRO).

Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam: The Missile Man of India

Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam is also popularly referred to as ‘Missile Man.’ But do you know why? Let’s find out about Kalam’s scientific career and why he was called the “Missile Man of India”.

Education of Abdul Kalam

He had a strong interest in arithmetic during his time in school. He earned a degree in physics from Joseph’s College in Tiruchirappalli before enrolling in Madras Institute of Technology to study aeronautical engineering, where he was threatened with the cancellation of his scholarship.

Dr. Kalam had always wanted to be a fighter pilot, but there were only 8 positions available in the IAF and he placed ninth in the qualifications.

Served At DRDO & ISRO

He made use of his time at DRDO to concentrate on scientific studies in the fields of defense and space. He initially created a small hovercraft and began separately working on an extensible rocket project. 

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He moved to the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) in 1969 and oversaw the development of India’s first satellite launch vehicle there (SLV-III). He obtained the government’s blessing to expand the initiative at this time.

The Creator of Missiles

Dr. Kalam was successful in developing the Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and SLV-III projects in less than 20 years.

He also oversaw two initiatives in the 1970s that used the SLV program’s technology to construct ballistic missiles; for these endeavors, he received covert funding from the government.

R. Venkataraman, the defense minister at the time, chose Kalam to lead a project that focused on the creation of a missile quiver.

This project, known as the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme, received a budget of 388 crores (IGMDP). As part of this mission, he created numerous missiles, notably Agni and Prithvi.

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Contributions In Pokhran-II

In addition to serving as the chief project coordinator for the Pokhran-II nuclear testing, ABJ Kalam was the Prime Minister’s chief scientific adviser. 

Since this research received so much media attention, Kalam has gained notoriety as a nuclear physicist.

APJ Abdul Kalam, who was awarded the Bharat Ratna, was a key participant in the 1998 nuclear weapons test program under the Vajpayee administration.