Space Science in India: two recent initiatives, lecture by Dr Krishmaswamy Kasturirangam Sir Jagdish Chandra Bose Memorial Lecture - Public Lecture given at the Royal Society By Dr Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan Director of the NIAS, India On the evolution of India's space programme. Since the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) started funding high-energy astronomy involving underground, balloon and rocket based observations in 1962, and the successful launch of the Indian X-ray Astronomy Experiment satellite in 1996, the space programme has evolved with two recent developments: " The approved development of the multi-wave length astronomical satellite ASTROSAT and, " Indias first unmanned spacecraft The Chandrayan-I, literally translated as first journey to the moon, which will be sent to the Moon in 2007. The talk discusses Indias high-energy astronomy experiments and space programme, including parallel developments in space technology and capabilities, satellites and launchers, and primarily drivers. 14 December 2004