Established on August 15, 1969, by the government, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) was founded under the guidance of Dr Vikram Sarabhai, often hailed as the pioneer of India’s space endeavors. With its headquarters situated in Bengaluru, ISRO’s fundamental mission revolves around the advancement and application of space technology to meet diverse national requirements. These encompass telecommunications, remote sensing, meteorology, and navigation, alongside dedicated pursuits in space science and planetary exploration.
Renowned globally, ISRO has garnered acclaim for its economically efficient yet highly dependable space initiatives. The agency has achieved notable success in creating indigenous technologies for spacecraft, space launch vehicles, and ground systems. Notably, ISRO’s remarkable journey has led to the realisation of cost-effective, robust space programmes.
Lesser known facts
1. It is one of the few space agencies in the world that can build and launch its rockets and satellites.
2. It is also one of the most cost-effective space agencies in the world. Its total expenditure over the last 40 years is half as much as NASA’s single-year budget!
3. ISRO is the first agency to successfully land a probe on Mars in its first attempt. This was a major achievement, and it put India in the league of the world’s leading space powers.
4. ISRO has launched over 100 satellites into space.
5. The space agency is also involved in several other space activities, such as developing launch vehicles, building ground stations, and conducting space research.
The first director
Dr Vikram Sarabhai, born in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, in 1919, pursued his education in physics at prestigious institutions such as the University of Cambridge and the University of Manchester. Following the completion of his doctoral studies, he returned to India and contributed his expertise as a physics educator at the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay.
In 1962, Dr Sarabhai assumed the role of Chairman of the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR), the precursor to ISRO. His visionary leadership played a pivotal role in steering the development of INCOSPAR’s satellites and launch vehicles. This visionary’s legacy continues to guide ISRO’s aspirations and achievements, positioning India prominently within the realm of space exploration.
Major achievements
· Launch of the first Indian satellite, Aryabhata, in 1975.
· Launch of the INSAT series of communication satellites, which provide telecommunications services to India and other countries.
· Launch of the IRS series of remote sensing satellites, which are used for mapping, monitoring natural resources, and disaster management.
· Launch of the Chandrayaan-1 lunar probe, which made the first detailed study of the Moon’s surface.
· Launch of the Mangalyaan orbiter, which became the first Indian spacecraft to reach Mars.
· Development of the GSLV Mk III launch vehicle, which is capable of launching heavier satellites into geosynchronous orbit.
How was the first space shuttle?
The inaugural space shuttle crafted under ISRO’s guidance emerged as the Reusable Launch Vehicle Technology Demonstrator (RLV-TD). This prototype, a scaled-down version of an envisioned two-stage-to-orbit (TSTO) reusable launch vehicle, marked a significant milestone. Efforts culminated in its suborbital launch on May 23, 2016, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.During this mission, the RLV-TD showcased its prowess by successfully validating pivotal technologies crucial for designing and conducting flight tests of re-entry vehicles. The comprehensive RLV-TD initiative incurred a total expenditure of ₹95 crore (equivalent to ₹136 crore or US$17.0 million in 2023). This financial outlay encompassed all aspects spanning design, development, testing, and the actual launch of the vehicle.