It was Dr. Vikram Sarabhai in 1962 who flagged India’s space odyssey by forming the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR). Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) was formed in 1969, signalling India’s intent and capacity to undertake space research; a journey that is gathering traction, achievement and world acclaim with every passing day.
While the beginnings were humble with the launch of small rockets of 30-70 kg payloads, ISRO’s achievements, dedication and commitment have earned it national and international respect. Its achievements, from its hub Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) at Thiruvananthapuram, are remarkable.
- Aryabhata was India’s first satellite built by ISRO and launched by the erstwhile Soviet Union on 19 April 1975.
- Rohini was India’s first satellite which was placed in orbit on 18 July 1980 by an Indian-made launch vehicle, SLV-3 and stayed in orbit for 9 months.
- On 20 May 1992, ISRO launched Insat-2A, a multi-purpose communication, meteorology and search and rescue satellite using Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV).
- Chandrayaan-1, India’s first unmanned mission to the moon, was launched by ISRO on 22 October 2008. Heralding India’s international co-operation in space research, the orbiter carried 11 scientific instruments built in India, USA, UK, Germany, Sweden and Bulgaria to conduct chemical, mineralogical and photo-geologic mapping of the Moon.
- ISRO’s 100th space mission was launched on 9 September 2012 using PSLV-C21 rocket when two foreign satellites were put in the Earth’s orbit.
- India’s Mars Orbiter Mission was launched on 5 November 2013 and entered Mars’ orbit on 24 September 2014 making it the fourth space agency in the world and the first in Asia to achieve this stupendous task.
- India created a world record on 15 February 2017 when ISRO launched 104 satellites aboard its single rocket PSLV-C37.
- Soon after, on 5 June 2017, ISRO launched its heaviest rocket, Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle-Mark III (GSLV-Mk III) which placed a communications satellite GSAT-19 into orbit.
- India’s heaviest communication satellite GSAT-29, weighing 3,423 kg, was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota on 14 November 2018.
- 22 July 2019 saw India’s Chandrayaan-2 launch. A last mile glitch prevented Lander Vikram from landing on the Moon’s south polar region. No other country has attempted what ISRO dared to accomplish in this mission.
Indian scientists have commendable progress and achievements in space technology to their credit which the country is proud of.
The first Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS-1A) was successfully launched in 2013 which will pave the way for satellite-based positioning and timing services in the country.
Geo imaging Satellite (GISAT) will create new capabilities in observing the Earth and provide not only real time aerial images, but also support natural resources survey and disaster management applications.
With its stated vision of harnessing space technology for national development, while pursuing space science research and planetary exploration’, ISRO continues to design and develop technologies, providing access to space and opportunities to observe the Earth and promote research and development and space science and planetary exploration.
