Driven by a deep and lifelong fascination with flight, engineering, and space, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam pursued aerospace engineering at the prestigious Madras Institute of Technology (MIT). Even during his college years, he stood out for his discipline, innovative thinking, and commitment to excellence. At MIT, he was involved in several student projects, including designing a low-level attack aircraft model. Although he had aspired to become a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force, his dream remained unfulfilled—he secured the 9th rank when only 8 candidates were selected. This rejection was a moment of disappointment, but instead of being discouraged, Kalam redirected his focus toward research and development in the field of defense and space technology.

After graduating, he began his career in 1958 at the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), where he worked on a small team developing a hovercraft prototype. However, his passion lay in aerospace technology, and in 1969 he was transferred to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). There, he became the project director of India’s first Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-III), a complex and highly ambitious mission for the country at the time. Despite technical challenges and limited resources, Kalam led a dedicated team that successfully launched the Rohini satellite into Earth’s orbit in July 1980. This was a landmark achievement, as it established India as a member of the exclusive group of nations with satellite launch capability.

Following this success, Kalam returned to DRDO in the early 1980s to head India’s Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP). Under his leadership, India developed and tested a series of advanced missiles, including the Prithvi (surface-to-surface), Agni (ballistic), Trishul (short-range), Akash (medium-range), and Nag (anti-tank) missiles. His visionary leadership, technical mastery, and strategic planning transformed India’s defense capabilities and earned him the nickname “Missile Man of India.” He worked closely with scientists, military officials, and policymakers, ensuring that India’s missile systems would be both indigenous and strategically important.

Throughout his scientific career, Dr. Kalam faced significant obstacles such as limited funding, technological embargoes, and pressure from developed nations. However, his focus on indigenous development, collaborative work culture, and ethical leadership became his trademarks. He strongly believed in self-reliance and motivated young Indian scientists to innovate using available resources, proving that with determination and clarity of vision, India could achieve great things in science and defense technology.