(Mohanty) Should the launch simulation
be successful today,
the review committee can proceed with locking
the Chandrayaan-3 profile.
I will push forward the budget request
so that on February 1st,
when the Finance Minister announces the budget,
we can show the world
that India will be the first country
to reach the lunar south pole.
Come on, Dr. Ramaiah.
Let's go to the Moon.
(man 1) Trajectory check complete.
All parameters within tolerance.
Proceeding with final countdown.
(Yamini) Initiating launch simulation.
(suspenseful music)
Five.
Four.
Three.
Two.
One.
- (spacecraft rumbles) - (intense music)
(man 2) Thrust nominal.
Stage one burn proceeding as planned.
Guidance stable.
Pitch program on nominal trajectory.
Telemetry steady.
All sensors reporting nominal values.
Flight director, thrust profile not meeting nominal acceleration.
(siren blaring)
(man 1) Trajectory deviation detected.
Overall velocity low.
What's wrong?
Checking.
(keyboard keys clicking)
(man 2) Payload weight higher than expected.
Ascends lower than planned.
What's going on?
(man 1) Telemetry confirms increased mass.
Telemetry confirms overcapacity issues.
- What? - Because of the modifications
made after the failure,
Chandrayaan's weight increased, sir.
But how? There isn't even an orbiter this time.
The legs and joints of Vikram have been strengthened.
And...
we've also added some components.
Uh...
It's the weight of a guarantee.
- How much? - 450 kilograms, sir.
- (tense music) - (indistinct chatter)
Wow!
Our genius scientists
have failed the launch just to guarantee a landing.
It is just a simulation.
The whole point of it is to spot unseen errors.
And what's the point of my coming here?
To see these errors?
(tense music)
You've put in a ₹75 crore demand for the design, haven't you?
You'll get that
only when the review committee approves the mission.
The simulation has failed.
How am I supposed to get the budget approved?
Reduce the weight.
Otherwise, just sit at home and watch Russia get to the Moon
while singing "Ra-Ra-Rasputin."
(intense music)
(Ramaiah) What is the current weight of the rover?
(Yamini) Approximately 26 kilos, sir.
(Ramaiah) And what about the rover's ancillary stuff?
I mean, what's the weight for putting it in the lander?
600 kilos, sir. But why?
(suspenseful music)
Can we do away with Pragyan?
But, sir, the rover was the heart of the mission.
Why should we give up a major discovery
just to win the landing race, sir?
It's not about discovery, Yamini.
It's about geopolitics!
- As the chief, I have to-- - But, sir, first it was Arjun
and now you're asking to remove the rover.
This is not the right solution.
Do you have another solution?
If you don't have one, don't take the moral high ground here.
Please.
Now, it's time to be realists,
not scientists.
(sombre music)
(muffled party music playing)
(Madhvi) What's the status of the resignation?
(Arjun) Just sending the resignation wasn't enough, Madhu.
I'll have to go and explain in person
why I don't want to be a scientist at ISRO.
(sad music)
Arjun.
You sure you don't want to wear your jacket?
I'll put it on.
- (indistinct chatter) - Listen.
They're your college friends.
They won't grill you about the landing.
So, just cheer up, okay? And enjoy the party.
Hmm?
Hey, so you finally found the time, scientist!
Hey, Rohan.
- The place looks amazing! - Oh, thank you.
I'm so glad you could come.
- How are you? Great to meet you! - Hi. All well.
Same here. And congratulations, it's beautiful.
Thank you so much.
I've been calling him for so long.
But he kept putting it off because of his project!
(all chuckle)
What happened finally?
The project failed.
- Come on, man. I'm just kidding. - (Madhvi chuckles)
- Yeah. - Come.
I wanted to introduce you
- to my friends. - Yeah, of course.
(Rohan chuckles)
Guys, this is Arjun, Madhvi.
- Hi. - This is Meenal.
She's getting worn out in consulting.
(all chuckle)
This is Awais.
- Hi, Awais. - Founder of Pixxel.
- Hello. - It's a space tech company
that's building a constellation of imaging satellites
around the Earth.
And this here is my friend, Arjun.
He's absolutely rocking it at ISRO as a scientist.
ISRO? Very nice.
Seems like we're both sending stuff to space.
Say what you want,
but the real deep-tech work is being done
by your friend Arjun and Pixxel.
All right, man. If you say so.
You okay?
Don't worry.
Even you will imagine a future after ISRO. For sure.
There was so much to achieve.
I was an idiot for wanting to be a scientist.
It's good that I resigned.
(indistinct chatter)
- I'll get a drink. - Let's get some stronger drinks.
- Yeah. - Yeah, please.
After you.
Rohit.
- Madhvi, he's resigned? - Hmm?
- (indistinct chatter) - (party music)
Well, totally understandable.
They probably made it tough for him after the Chandrayaan failure.
Anyhow...
You tell me.
How are you? What have you been up to?
Nothing fancy. Same old stuff.
Shaping the worldview of seventh and eighth graders.
Some want to become founders like you and make money,
while others want to serve the nation.
You don't have to spend your whole life
in government offices to serve the nation.
Start-ups create huge wealth for the employees. Am I right?
Absolutely right.
I've been telling you forever
to move on from these government jobs.
Russia, Europe and other space agencies
are way ahead of where we are.
Come work for me.
- Yeah. - What do you mean?
Our work culture is quite positive.
No blame games at all.
And you have a solid background.
You'll get all the glory in the office
for your experience as an ML scientist.
(sombre music)
Rohan, I...
I have no experience in your line of work.
Oh, come on.
I figured out your talent ages ago while copying your assignments.
I'll connect you with my CTO.
You'll be up to speed in no time.
- The CTO already? - Yes.
Just think about it.
We've raised a lot of funds.
Your CTC will be in crores.
10x.
- It's huge, right? - Yeah.
You two should discuss it.
Tell me in a week.
A week.
- (glasses clink) - (all) Cheers!
(dramatic music)
(tense music)
(Jairam) New recruits! ISRO is known for doing big things.
In 2017,
we broke the world record by launching 104 satellites at once.
(dramatic music)
But now we're counting on you,
the next generation, who will take it forward.
(all clapping)
Hi. I'm Jairam Shetty.
I'm a government hardware engineer.
And I designed the Pragyan rover for Chandrayaan.
- (all clapping) - Thank you, thank you.
I look forward to learning from you as well.
Now, before we start, I want to ask you a question.
In Chandrayaan, what role
does the Pragyan rover play? Anybody?
Erm...
Yes?
Sir, the rover could have left the Vikram lander
and explored the Moon's surface for Lithium and Helium-3.
It could have even produced rocket fuel,
aiding progress in space.
Great answer.
Just one small change.
Not, "could have."
Say, "It will."
(triumphant music)
Even on the mission with Chandrayaan-3.
(everyone clapping)
(news anchor 1) Putting past failures behind them,
they are fully engaged in preparing for Chandrayaan-3.
But the key question is, will the government
show faith and release funds in the budget,
or will it just make them wait?
And if that happens,
Russia is almost certain to reach the Moon before India.
Hmm.
Did you track ISRO news all day
or think about what to do next?
Why even think?
Rohan even sent the offer letter to me.
- What? - Hmm.
Are you serious?
You sure you want to do this?
Of course.
This 2 BHK, a small car, petty blame games...
How long?
I mean, I can do better than all of this.
Right?
I'll have a big house, a big car,
a life like Rohan, and you'll finally be proud of me.
What?
What do you mean?
What are you saying, Arjun?
I've always been proud of you.
Besides, you always say Rohan is a phony.
He keeps trying to poach you all the time.
But the offer is real, right?
He wasn't simply rambling at the party.
He really wants me, Madhu.
Yeah, but is this what you really want?
Or is it just the money that he's offering?
I just don't get why you're against all of this.
- Against? I-- - You know everything.
You know what I'm going through.
Arjun, Yamini ma'am personally called and clarified
that your name not being on the list was a genuine mistake.
Forget about it. Let it go.
Let it go?
Ever since the C2 failure,
everyone's been on my case about my mistakes.
What about that, Madhu?
I'm sure the work and work culture at this start-up
will be better than here.
(Madhvi scoffs)
If this start-up really mattered to you,
you'd be reading up on it rather than watching ISRO news.
So, don't fool me.
I know where your heart is.
My heart is where I'm respected as a scientist, Madhu.
(sombre music)
All right.
Jairam has been calling continuously.
Please just call him back.
(Yamini) Sir.
Sir, you know we are not doing the right thing by removing Pragyan.
Sometimes, what's more important than doing the right thing is
doing things right.
(soft music)
Sir, during Chandrayaan-1,
Doctor sahab had encouraged a young scientist
to pursue the discovery of water on the Moon.
That discovery made him the VSSC chief.
And today, he's the chief of ISRO.
Why is he not doing the same thing for other scientists, sir?
A scientist's true glory lies in their discoveries, right?
Enough, Yamini.
We can't keep discussing the same thing every day.
Unless you find a solution,
the rover will have to be removed.
In that case, challenge accepted, sir.
I will get it done by the review meeting.
(dramatic music)
I hope you do, Yamini.
I really hope so.
(car lock beeps)
(intense music)
(intense music continues)
- (car honks) - (dramatic music)
(dramatic music continues)
(man shouts) Hey, watch out!
(everyone laughs)
(Jairam scoffs)
(thrusts whoosh)
Okay. Next team, get ready.
Yes, sir.
Our sounding rocket went up just like that.
(Jairam chuckles)
Sir, you're here?
Sorry, I couldn't meet you for the past two weeks.
Been a bit tied up.
The resignation process here is so paperwork-heavy,
I could retire before it even gets approved.
- May I? - Sure.
Some really interesting ideas here.
How much weight reduction is possible?
Sir, around 100 kilograms.
- 100. - But what good are these ideas, sir?
The scientist who could execute them is leaving.
(Arjun chuckles)
What time is the review meeting tomorrow?
Sir, it's at 2:00 p.m. tomorrow.
When is your exit interview?
At 11 o'clock in the morning.
Shall we hang out later in the evening?
No, sir.
Orientation's happening tomorrow.
You gave a speech last time.
You inspired people to become scientists
and now you're moving on.
(sombre music)
Okay! Tara!
- Your team! - Yes, sir.
Sir, we've designed the nose cone of this sounding rocket
with improved aerodynamics.
This could also increase the launch capacity.
Its shape reduces drag significantly,
which improves fuel efficiency.
The materials used are also composite.
Light-weight, but extremely durable.
(uplifting music)
(Yamini scoffs)
(coffee machine whirring)
(suspenseful music)
(news anchor) Scientific advisor Dr. Mohanty held a meeting
with the Finance Minister.
Is ISRO going to receive the budget for Chandrayaan-3 this year?
We'll find out in the next 48 hours.
I'm sorry. I'm late, Arjun.
Oh, I just...
(files clatter)
- (Yamini tsks) - I'll get it.
(suspenseful music)
I'm sorry, Arjun. I haven't slept all night.
In a failed effort to save the Pragyan rover.
Yet, it was of no use.
Did you learn Russian during your notice period?
I was just looking at the pointed nose cone rocket.
What's this for?
Seeing the Russian agency's arrogance,
I was wondering when we will have an agency
that gets an unlimited budget.
(uplifting music)
(indistinct chatter)
Let's start!
Jairam, let's not wait. Just start.
The proposal suggests taking
the Pragyan rover off the Chandrayaan-3 mission.
Sir, without Pragyan,
Chandrayaan-3 will be 600 kilograms lighter
and 5% cheaper.
In this situation, this option is in the nation's best interest.
(suspenseful music)
Sorry, sir, but the nation's interest will be served
only if Pragyan goes to the Moon and makes a scientific discovery.
Dr. Ramaiah, this is your project director.
What is she saying?
Yamini, the proposal itself is without the rover.
As per your permission,
I have found another solution to reduce the weight.
(indistinct chatter)
What permission?
What solution?
The fix is to take out the 5th engine
from the Vikram lander.
Sir, that alone will reduce 300 kilograms.
But by turning off the four engines
and starting the fifth engine,
only then will a soft landing be possible.
If I use only four engines and run these two engines
at half capacity, like a coffee machine,
we can achieve a soft landing.
Sir, this regulatory mechanism
has already been demonstrated in the debris manoeuvre.
Even then, it only cuts 300 kilograms.
Sir, we can cut 100 kilograms in cabling as well.
I conducted a new study together with the trainees.
(suspenseful music)
Dr. Ramaiah.
What game are you playing by passing these files around?
That still only reduces 400 kilograms.
That's 200 kilograms less than before.
If you and your team don't have a solution,
then maybe we should just give up
and take the rover out.
This is the only way to outmanoeuvre Russia
and win at geopolitics.
This is the only solution!
(tense music)
There's another solution, sir.
(indistinct chatter)
What?
The new design is similar to this one.
The rocket's capacity can increase from 200 to 300 kilograms.
Sir, this is the new "nose cone" design.
Jairam has also prepared an experimental report on this.
Even Russia has been using this type of design in their rockets.
Our American vendors are ready to supply the materials.
(tense music rises)
How much is that?
600 kilograms.
If we're lucky, 700, sir.
Dr. Mohanty.
Looks like
my scientists just aren't sold
on taking the rover out.
Because my team believes in discovery.
And you'll agree with me, sir.
A scientist's true glory
lies in their discoveries.
And in a scientist's glory,
lies the nation's glory.
(soft triumphant music)
So, we shall lock the Chandrayaan-3 mission profile
with Pragyan.
(all clapping and cheering)
(triumphant music)
Still want an approval on your resignation? Hmm?
Well done, Yamini.
Today, you have not just succeeded
as a scientist, but also as a leader.
I know this is a bit last-minute, but if possible,
you should give
the speech this evening.
Good job, Arjun.
(pleasant music)
(Yamini) When I was as young as my daughter,
I loved
to stay late in the library to read books.
One night, I was so lost in my book
that I came home very late.
It was very dark
and my bicycle crashed into a ditch.
I was hurt pretty badly.
My mom got scared just by looking at me.
She said that there wasn't any need
to repair the bicycle. Get rid of it.
And Dad told me to stop going to the library from then on.
I didn't let Mom and Dad's fear get to me.
In fact, I went to the library to look for solutions.
One day, I came across a physics book
that explained how moving a magnet around a coil of wire
can generate electricity.
I thought,
what if I apply this scientific principle
of Michael Faraday
to the bicycle's motion?
(snaps fingers)
That was it!
I joined the dynamo to the bicycle's wheel,
and as I started pedalling, a small flickering light
started showing me the way home from the library.
As scientists,
your bicycles will break loads of times in your journey.
And it will leave you disappointed.
But you have to learn to take it in your stride.
- (phone chimes) - Because every unfortunate incident
shows you a new opportunity.
It pushes you to discover new knowledge,
to unlock new wisdom,
and to stay curious.
Isn't it why we became scientists?
To light paths of humanity
with bulbs of wisdom.
(all clapping)
- (joyful music) - (all clapping)
Yamini,
mission profile has been submitted to the FM.
(soft music fades)
(News on TV) An important announcement.
In the past week,
the speed at which this pandemic has spread across the world
is now making its presence felt in our country as well.
Taking note of this,
the Government of India
has decided to halt all activities and work
across the nation.
We urge everyone to stay at home,
take good care of your own health
and the health of your loved ones.
For this nationwide restriction,
the government has also given a name...
Lockdown!
(suspenseful music)
(suspenseful music fades)