SPACE, when we hear this word one organisation comes in our minds i.e. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). ISRO is the pioneer space exploration agency of the Government of India, headquartered at Bengaluru. ISRO was set up in 1969 with a vision to develop and harness space technology in national development, while pursuing planetary exploration and space science research.
Before coming to ISRO and its achievements, let us first take a ride in past to understand the history of Indian space research. The space research activities were initiated in India during the early 1960’s, when applications using satellites were in experimental stages even in the United States.
With the live transmission of Tokyo Olympic Games across the Pacific by the American satellite ‘Syncom-3’ demonstrating the power of communication satellites, Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, the founding father of Indian space programme, quickly recognised the benefits of space technologies for India.
Following the success of the SLV, ISRO was keen to begin construction of a satellite launch vehicle that would be able to put truly useful satellites into polar orbits. Design of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) was soon underway. This vehicle was designed as India’s workhorse launch system, taking advantage of both old technology with large reliable solid stages, and new liquid engines.
At the same time, it was decided by the ISRO management that it would be prudent to develop a smaller rocket, based on the SLV that would serve as a testbed for many of the new technologies that would be used on the PSLV. The Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV) would test technologies like strap-on boosters and new guidance systems; so that experience could be gained before the PSLV went into full production.
The Mars Orbiter Mission, or Mangalyaan, launched in 2013, made India the first Asian nation to reach Mars orbit and the first globally to do so in its maiden attempt.
The space studies thus got more attracted after the research works on space craft started in India. The satelightes in the space is supporting much information at a shorter period with more accuracy.International events can reach the door-step of every one. The space craft of India recently reached moon through Scientisrs and technocrats sre deriving many interesting
informations like availability of nuclear fuel deposits in lunar soil at the south polar region of moon. It may be mentioned in this connection that Russia failed to put its satelight on the lunar soil.
Future Plans
ISRO plans to launch Gaganyaan, its first manned mission, and continue exploring the moon, Mars, Venus, and the Sun.
By: Sraddha Ghosh
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