Learn more about ISRO

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is the country’s national space agency, headquartered in Bengaluru. It is managed by the Department of Space (DoS), which is directly directed by India’s Prime Minister, and the Chairman of ISRO also serves as the executive of DOS. ISRO is India’s primary agency in charge of space-based applications, space exploration, and the development of related technology. It is one of only six government space organisations in the world with cryogenic engines, full launch capability, the ability to launch interplanetary missions, and the ability to operate a large number of artificial satellites.

Jawaharlal Nehru founded the Indian National Committee for Space Exploration (INCOSPAR) under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) in 1962, at the suggestion of physicist Vikram Sarabhai, who saw the necessity for space research. INCOSPAR developed and became ISRO inside DAE in 1969. The founding of ISRO thereby formalised India’s space research operations. Since then, it has been overseen by the DOS, which also supervises several other institutes in India involved in astronomy and space technology.

More about ISRO 

The establishment of the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR) in 1962 marked the beginning of the country’s space efforts. Work on the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS), near Thiruvananthapuram, began the same year. The creation of the ISRO in November 1969 formalised India’s space program (ISRO).

In June 1972, the Indian government formed the Space Commission and the Department of Space (DOS), and in September 1972, ISRO was transferred to DOS.

The major responsibility of the Department of Space (DOS) is to promote the development of space research, technology, and applications to achieve self-sufficiency and aid in the overall development of the nation. DOS has created the following programs to help with this.

• The Indian National Satellite (INSAT) program for telecommunications, television broadcasting, meteorology, developmental education, and other purposes.
• Remote Sensing program for the use of satellite images for a variety of developmental reasons.
• Indigenous competence for spacecraft design and development, as well as related technologies for communications, resource survey, and space sciences.
• Design and development of indigenous launch vehicles for access to space and orbiting INSAT, IRS spacecraft, and space science missions.
• Space science and technology research and development, as well as a national development application program

The Space Commission develops policies and oversees the operation of the Indian space program to encourage the development and use of space science and technology for the country’s socio-economic advantage.

DOS carries out these programs primarily through the ISRO, the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), the National Atmospheric Research Laboratory (NARL), and the North Eastern-Space Applications Centre (NE-SAC), and the Semi-Conductor Laboratory (SCL).

Antrix Corporation, a government-owned firm founded in 1992, sells space products and services.

The headquarters of both the DOS and the ISRO is in Bengaluru. Development operations are carried out in Centres and Units located around the country.

So far, 58 Indian satellite missions and 32 launches have taken place from Sriharikota.

ISRO and India’s first satellite

ISRO created Aryabhata, India’s first satellite, which was launched by the Soviet Union on April 19, 1975. ISRO launched satellite RS-1 on its SLV-3 in 1980, making India the sixth country capable of orbital launches. SLV-3 was superseded by ASLV, which was followed by the construction of multiple medium-lift launch vehicles, rocket engines, satellite systems, and networks, allowing the agency to launch hundreds of domestic and foreign satellites, as well as different deep space missions for space research.

Objective of ISRO

ISRO is India’s national space organisation, responsible for all space-based activities such as reconnaissance and communications, as well as research. It designs and develops space rockets, satellites, and missions to investigate the upper atmosphere and deep space. ISRO has also nurtured its innovations in India’s private space sector, hence accelerating its expansion. The vision of Vikram Sarabhai, known as the “Father of the Indian Space Programme,” was instrumental in establishing and propelling the Indian space program forward. He stated this in 1969.

Some people doubt the value of space operations in a developing country. There is no uncertainty of intent in our minds. We do not aspire to compete with economically advanced nations in the exploration of the Moon, planets, or manned space flight. But we are persuaded that to play a meaningful role both nationally and in the community of nations, we must be leaders in the application of new technology to the genuine challenges of man and society that we face in our country.

Furthermore, the application of advanced technology and methods of analysis to our issues should not be mistaken with starting on extravagant programs whose major impact is for show rather than for genuine economic and social advancement.

Future projects

ISRO plans to launch humans into space in the future, along with a lot of communication and Earth observation satellites, and then build a space station to accommodate astronauts for a few weeks. The agency’s goals include developing and deploying more powerful and less polluting rocket engines, developing electric and nuclear propulsion for satellites and spacecraft for lighter weight and longer lives, landing a rover on the Moon, sending missions to the Sun, Venus, Mars, asteroids, comets, and the outer Solar System, deploying more telescopes in space, and developing global satellite navigation systems. Crewed landings on the Moon and other planets may be part of the long-term ambitions.

Conclusion

The ISRO is the country’s first space exploration organization, headquartered in Bengaluru. ISRO was founded in 1969 with the mission of developing and deploying space technology for national development, and also pursuing space science research and planetary exploration. ISRO succeeded INCOSPAR (Indian National Committee for Space Research), which was founded in 1962 by Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister, and physicist Vikram Sarabhai, two of the country’s founding fathers.