Micro sculptures of India’s legendary scientists carved inside needle eye, set for space travel aboard Vikram-1
Skyroot Aerospace’s announcement that its Vikram-1 rocket will be launched between July 12 and August 4 has put Warangal-based international micro sculptor Ajay Kumar Mattewada
Skyroot Aerospace’s announcement that its Vikram-1 rocket will be launched between July 12 and August 4 has put Warangal-based international micro sculptor Ajay Kumar Mattewada on cloud nine and filled him with pride, as his extraordinary artwork, comprising miniature sculptures of India’s legendary scientists C. V. Raman, Vikram Sarabhai P. J. Abdul Kalam, sculpted inside the eye of a sewing needle, is set to travel into space aboard the Vikram-1 rocket. The achievement is not only a rare privilege for Mr. Ajay Kumar but also a historic milestone in the history of Indian micro sculpture and global space art. Sharing both the pleasure and the pain behind creating these miniature artworks, he said each sculpture measures approximately 800 microns (0.8 millimetres) in height.
“It took me nearly 140 hours of toil, burning the midnight oil since I usually work in the nights for about five to six hours, over the period from 2023 to February 2026. I took up this project following a request from the Skyroot team. These masterpieces are too small to be seen clearly with the naked eye and can only be viewed using a high-powered microscope,” he said. “As per the specifications provided by the Skyroot team, I crafted the sculptures using space-compatible materials, including stainless steel, 24-karat gold, pure silver, ceramic powder and carbon fibre particles,” he said, adding that creating artwork at such a microscopic scale required exceptional patience, concentration, precision and technical expertise. After completing the sculptures inside the eye of a needle, he carefully mounted them inside a miniature rocket model made of 18-karat gold, specially designed for spaceflight and handed over the micro sculptures to the Skyroot Aerospace team about a month and a half ago.
“The artwork successfully passed rigorous engineering qualification tests, including vibration, heating and other environmental tests. It was then integrated into a specially designed protective payload housing and prepared to fly as part of the Vikram-1 rocket payload,” he said. Referring to iconic space artworks such as the Moon Museum (1969) and Fallen Astronaut (1971), Mr. Ajay Kumar said his micro sculptures were set to join that distinguished legacy, giving Indian micro sculpturing a unique place in the history of space exploration and art. “I consider this the highest honour bestowed upon the micro sculpture art that I have pursued with unwavering dedication for the past 40 years. Knowing that my creations will become a part of the history of space exploration fills me with indescribable joy, pride and satisfaction.
The BriefWire