Nation / Thu, 09 Jul 2026 News18

These Tiny Sculptures Of CV Raman, Vikram Sarabhai And APJ Abdul Kalam Are Heading To Space

Hidden inside its payload will be three microscopic sculptures of some of India's greatest scientific minds - CV Raman, Vikram Sarabhai and APJ Abdul Kalam. The remarkable artwork has been created by Warangal-based international micro sculptor Ajay Kumar Mattewada, who spent nearly three years bringing the miniature tribute to life. The sculptures have been carved inside the eye of a sewing needle before being mounted inside a miniature 18-karat gold rocket specially designed for spaceflight. (Image: Instagram/@ajaymicrosculptures)ADVERTISEMENT3 / 7 The project began in 2023 after Skyroot Aerospace approached Mattewada with the idea. He added, "As an Indian, it is a matter of immense pride that the miniature sculptures of C.V. Raman, Vikram Sarabhai, and A.P.J.

Last Updated: July 09, 2026, 14:42 IST

1 / 7 When Skyroot Aerospace's Vikram-1 rocket lifts between July 12 and August 4, it won't just be carrying technology into space. Hidden inside its payload will be three microscopic sculptures of some of India's greatest scientific minds - CV Raman, Vikram Sarabhai and APJ Abdul Kalam. The remarkable artwork has been created by Warangal-based international micro sculptor Ajay Kumar Mattewada, who spent nearly three years bringing the miniature tribute to life. (Image: Instagram/@ajaymicrosculptures)

2 / 7 Each sculpture measures just 800 microns (0.8 millimetres) in height, so small that they cannot be seen clearly with the naked eye and require a high-powered microscope to view. The sculptures have been carved inside the eye of a sewing needle before being mounted inside a miniature 18-karat gold rocket specially designed for spaceflight. (Image: Instagram/@ajaymicrosculptures)

3 / 7 The project began in 2023 after Skyroot Aerospace approached Mattewada with the idea. Over the next three years, he carefully crafted the sculptures using space-compatible materials such as stainless steel, 24-karat gold, pure silver, ceramic powder and carbon fibre particles. The work was completed in February 2026 after nearly 140 hours of painstaking effort. (Image: Instagram/@ajaymicrosculptures)

4 / 7 Describing the challenge, Mattewada said, "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." (Image: Instagram/@ajaymicrosculptures)

5 / 7 Creating artwork at such a microscopic scale demanded immense patience and precision. Once completed, the sculptures underwent rigorous engineering qualification tests, including vibration and heating tests, before being integrated into a specially designed protective payload housing for the mission. (Image: Instagram/@ajaymicrosculptures)

6 / 7 For the veteran artist, seeing his work travel beyond Earth is a career-defining achievement. "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," Mattewada said. He added, "As an Indian, it is a matter of immense pride that the miniature sculptures of C.V. Raman, Vikram Sarabhai, and A.P.J. Abdul Kalam will travel into space." (Image: Instagram/@ajaymicrosculptures)