INDIAN SPACE RESEARCH ORGANISATION (ISRO)
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is the space agency, founded in 1969. ISRO's primary objective is to advance space technology and use it for various national tasks, including communication, Earth observation, navigation, and exploration. Over the years, ISRO has made significant strides, conducting successful satellite launches, Lunar and interplanetary missions, and developing indigenous satellite technology. With a vision to harness space technology for national development, ISRO continues to push boundaries and make India a prominent player in the global space arena.
History of ISRO
Modern space research in India can be traced to 1920s, when scientist S. K. Mitra conducted a series of experiments sounding the ionosphere through ground-based radio in Kolkata. After 1945, important developments were made in coordinated space research in India by two scientists: Vikram Sarabhai, founder of the Physical Research Laboratory at Ahmedabad, and Homi Bhabha, who established the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in 1945.
The Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR) was set up in 1962 by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on the suggestion of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai. Initially there was no dedicated ministry for the space programme and all activities of INCOSPAR relating to space technology continued to function within Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).
In 1970s-1980s: under the government of Indira Gandhi, INCOSPAR was superseded by ISRO. Later in 1972, a space commission and Department of Space (DOS) were set up to oversee space technology development in India and forging the Indian Space Programme into its existing form. India joined the Soviet Inter-Cosmos Programme for space cooperation and got its first satellite- Aryabhata in orbit through a soviet rocket.
ISRO's Space Missions
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has been at the forefront of space exploration and satellite technology since its inception in 1969. It has conducted a total of 124 spacecraft missions, including 17 satellites developed by private players or students and 432 foreign satellites launched. ISRO has also completed 96 launch missions, six re-entry missions, and projects like POEMS. The organisation is also preparing for the Gaganyaan mission. India's first manned spaceflight, highlighting its advancements in space technology and exploration.
Here is a comprehensive list of ISRO's space missions up to 2024.
Year Mission Name Mission Type Mission Description
1975 Aryabhata Satellite India's first Satellite. It was launched for scientific and technological research.
1980 Rohini Satellite Satellite India's first satellite was launched by its
Series (RS-1) launch vehicle, the SLV-3.
1983 INSAT-1B Communication Part of the Indian National Satellite System
Satellite for Telecommunications, broadcasting and
Meteorology.
1987 SROSS-1 Satellite Series of satellites for scientific research and observation.
1993 IRS-1E Earth observation Part of the Indian Remote Sensing Programme for resource monitoring and management.
1999 INSAT-2E Communication satellite Advanced communication satellite for broadcasting and telecommunications.
2001 GSAT-1 Communication satellite Experimental satellite for testing new technologies in communication.
2005 Cartosat-1 Earth observation High-resolution mapping satellite for cartographic application.
2008 Chandrayaan-1 Lunar exploration India's first lunar probe, which discovered water molecules on the Moon.
2013 Mangalyaan Mars Exploration India's first interplanetary mission, which made India the first Asian nation to reach Martian orbit.
2014 IRNSS-1C Navigation Part of the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System for providing accurate position information.
2015 Astro-sat Space Observatory India's first dedicated multi-wavelength space observatory for astronomical observation.
2016 GSAT-29 Communication satellite Advanced communication satellite to support telecommunication, broadcasting and broadband services.
MISSIONS ACCOMPLISHED
NEW MISSION