Indian Space Research Organisation

ISRO: India’s Space Journey or the Indian Space Research Organisation, has become one of the top space agencies in the world. It’s famous for doing amazing things in space. What makes ISRO really stand out is how it gets a lot done without spending huge amounts of money. Since it started, ISRO has helped both India’s safety and made the country a key player in space exploration all over the globe.

The Roots of ISRO:How It All Started

ISRO: India’s Space Journey story began in the 1960s. Back then, India knew that exploring space could help with many national needs. Dr. Vikram Sarabhai is a big name in this story. People call him the father of India’s space program. He saw how space technology could help improve lives in many ways, like in communication, weather, and education.

In 1962, Sarabhai helped kick off the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR). This group was tasked with launching simple rockets to learn more about the upper atmosphere. The Indian government funded it, and it was the first step in taking India into space.

Just a few years later, in 1969, ISRO was born as India’s main space agency. This was because of Sarabhai’s great vision and hard work.

Vikram Sarabhai: The Man Behind ISRO

Vikram Sarabhai’s impact was huge. He understood that space technology was vital for India’s development and security. Under his guidance, India set up its first space center at the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station in Kerala. This site saw India’s first satellite launch.

In 1975, India launched its first satellite, Aryabhata, with help from the Soviet Union. This was a big jump for India into the global space scene.

Early Days of ISRO: The 1970s to 1980s

ISRO:Indian Space Research Organisation,

After they launched Aryabhata, ISRO got busy with more important missions. They achieved some big milestones during this time.

One significant event was the launch of the Satellite Launch Vehicle known as SLV-3 in 1980. With this mission, India successfully sent its first homegrown satellite, Rohini, into space. This made India one of the few countries that could design and launch satellites on its own.

ISRO also began working on remote sensing satellites. In 1983, they launched the Indian National Satellite System, or INSAT. This satellite helped with communication, weather forecasting, and broadcasting.

During the 1980s, ISRO: India’s Space Journey set up more important centers, like the Space Applications Centre. They also started the Indian Remote Sensing satellites, which became essential for observing Earth.

From SLV to GSLV: Creating Launch Vehicles

By the late ’80s and into the ’90s, ISRO concentrated on making better satellite launch vehicles. This was one of their top priorities.

The SLV was the first big step in launching satellites. After the SLV-3’s success, ISRO continued to develop more advanced vehicles to carry bigger loads into space.

Then ISRO rolled out the PSLV, or Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, in the early ’90s. The PSLV became a superstar in the space world. Its success rate and low cost made it a go-to option for launching satellites, not just for India but for other countries too. The PSLV-C37 mission in 2017 made headlines by launching a record 104 satellites in one go.

Next came the GSLV, or Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle. This vehicle could handle heavier satellites, which was necessary for spaces like communication. The GSLV even used a cryogenic engine, boosting its capacity significantly.

Big Achievements from 2000 to 2024

ISRO has marked many fantastic achievements in space technology over the years and worked hard to put India on the global space map.

Chandrayaan Missions: India’s Journey to the Moon

India’s adventure in lunar exploration started with the Chandrayaan missions, led by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). These missions have boosted India’s skills in space science and made it known worldwide for its tech in space exploration. The Chandrayaan program includes several missions to the Moon that helped us learn about the Moon’s surface, minerals, and even water.

Here’s a closer look at the Chandrayaan missions

Chandrayaan-1 (2008)
Chandrayaan-1 was India’s first mission to the Moon. It kicked off India’s exciting space journey. Launched on October 22, 2008, from Sriharikota, it aimed to study the Moon’s surface and gather details about what it’s made of. The mission used a PSLV-XL rocket.

Key Points:

• Orbiter and Instruments: The orbiter had 11 scientific tools from India and other countries like NASA. These tools studied the Moon’s surface using different methods like X-ray and infrared.
• Water Discovery: One big find was water on the Moon. The Moon Impact Probe found water in the lunar soil, which changed how we think about the Moon. This opens up ideas for future lunar missions.
• Mapping the Moon: The orbiter made maps of the Moon’s surface and found important minerals like magnesium and silicon.

Challenges: Unfortunately, communication was lost in August 2009, and the mission ended early. But the data it gathered is still useful and is a big win for ISRO.

Chandrayaan-2 (2019)
Chandrayaan-2 was India’s second Moon mission, and it aimed even higher. Launched on July 22, 2019, this mission tried to land on the Moon’s south pole, an area that hadn’t been fully explored. It included an orbiter, a lander named Vikram, and a rover called Pragyan.

Key Points:

• Orbiter: The orbiter made it to the Moon and still sends back important data. It has eight tools, including a sharp camera and a radar.
• Lander and Rover: Vikram was meant to land softly and let Pragyan explore. Sadly, Vikram lost communication and crashed during the landing. The orbiter, however, is still working well.
• Scientific Goals: Chandrayaan-2 aimed to learn more about the Moon’s surface, check for water ice, and study the Moon’s atmosphere. The orbiter has found water ice at the south pole and continues to analyze the minerals there.

Challenges: Although Vikram’s crash was disappointing, the orbiter’s successes are helping us understand the Moon better.

Chandrayaan-3 (2023)
After the mixed results of Chandrayaan-2, ISRO launched Chandrayaan-3 on July 14, 2023, focusing on landing on the Moon. This time, there was no orbiter because the one from Chandrayaan-2 was still in action. The mission aimed for a successful landing and rover deployment.

Key Points:

• Successful Landing: On August 23, 2023, Chandrayaan-3 landed successfully on the Moon’s south pole. This made India the first country to land there, marking a big moment for ISRO.
• Pragyan Rover: The Pragyan rover started exploring the lunar surface, analyzing soil and sending back data about what it found. It used tools to spot minerals and check for water.
• Global Teamwork: Chandrayaan-3 had support from the European Space Agency, showing ISRO’s global partnerships.

Significance: Chandrayaan-3 is a huge step for ISRO and India’s space goals. It proved India’s ability to land on the Moon and opens doors for future missions, including exploring resources and long-term plans for living on the Moon.

Future Plans: Chandrayaan-4 and Beyond

With the success of Chandrayaan-3, ISRO is looking to launch Chandrayaan-4. This mission will explore the Moon further and check out parts that haven’t been studied much. The focus will be on the south pole, looking into the Moon’s resources and preparing for possible human missions. ISRO also plans to work with NASA and other space agencies for more lunar research.

Mangalyaan: The Mars Orbiter Mission

One of ISRO’s coolest achievements is Mangalyaan, launched in November 2013. India became the first country to get to Mars on its first try. This mission shared loads of data about Mars, including its atmosphere and surface materials. Mangalyaan helped boost ISRO’s reputation worldwide.

PSLV and International Launches

ISRO’s PSLV rocket has become an international favorite. Since it began operating in 1993, it has helped launch many satellites for various countries. The PSLV-C37 mission in 2017 is a highlight, where it launched 104 satellites in one event.

Gaganyaan: Sending Humans to Space

ISRO has its eyes set on another big mission—Gaganyaan. This project aims to send Indian astronauts, called Gagannauts, into space. If this mission succeeds, India will join the ranks of countries that have sent humans into space. Despite some delays, this is a monumental goal for ISRO.

Astrosat: India’s Space Observatory

In 2015, ISRO launched Astrosat, its first multi-wavelength space observatory. Astrosat helps study the universe in different types of light, making India a key player in global space science.

NavIC: Navigation System by India

ISRO has also set up NavIC, which is a satellite navigation system. This system gives accurate location and timing info for India and nearby areas. It aids in disaster management, logistics, and defense, serving as India’s version of GPS but tailored for its specific needs.

Key Figures in ISRO’s Story

Many extraordinary people have shaped ISRO along the way. Here are a few of them:

• Dr. Vikram Sarabhai: The founder of the Indian space program, his vision laid the foundation for ISRO.
• Dr. Satish Dhawan: He strengthened ISRO during tough times in the ’70s and ’80s, improving the organization’s structure.
• Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam: He played a key role in developing rockets and later became the President of India.
• Dr. K. Sivan: Known as India’s Rocket Man, he led ISRO through important missions like Chandrayaan-2 and Chandrayaan-3.
• Dr. M. Annadurai: He contributed to ISRO’s space science programs, helping advance satellite technology.

ISRO has come a long way since its humble beginnings. It continues to inspire not only in India but across the world with its achievements and innovations in space.https://www.isro.gov.in/