ISRO: Major Missions and Achievements Explained for UPSC SSC

ISRO's Foundation and Early Years

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) was established on August 15, 1969. It replaced the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR), which was set up in 1962 by Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, considered the father of the Indian space program. ISRO's primary objective was to develop space technology and apply it for national benefit. The Department of Space (DoS) was created in 1972 and ISRO was brought under it, reporting directly to the Prime Minister of India.

India's first satellite, Aryabhata, was launched on April 19, 1975, by the Soviet Union. This marked a significant step in India's space journey. The Rohini series of satellites were the first to be launched by an Indian-made launch vehicle, SLV-3, in 1980. This demonstrated India's capability to indigenously launch satellites, a crucial milestone in achieving self-reliance in space technology.

Launch Vehicles Development

ISRO has developed a series of advanced launch vehicles. The Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-3) was India's first experimental satellite launch vehicle, successfully launched in 1980. This was followed by the Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV) in the 1980s, designed to place 150 kg class satellites into Low Earth Orbit.

The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is ISRO's workhorse, known for its reliability and versatility. It has successfully launched numerous Indian and foreign satellites into various orbits, especially polar sun-synchronous orbits. The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) was developed to launch heavier communication satellites into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). Its Mark III version, GSLV Mk III (now known as LVM3), is capable of launching 4-ton class satellites to GTO and is crucial for India's human spaceflight program, Gaganyaan.

Communication and Remote Sensing

ISRO has established robust satellite systems for communication and remote sensing. The Indian National Satellite (INSAT) system, initiated in 1983, is one of the largest domestic communication satellite systems in the Asia-Pacific region. It provides services for telecommunications, television broadcasting, meteorology, and disaster warning. The GSAT series further enhances these capabilities, offering advanced communication services.

The Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellite system, operational since 1988, is one of the largest constellations of remote sensing satellites in the world. These satellites provide crucial data for agriculture, water resources, urban planning, forestry, mineral prospecting, and disaster management. The data from IRS satellites is vital for various national development programs and environmental monitoring.

Lunar and Interplanetary Missions

ISRO has made significant strides in lunar and interplanetary exploration. Chandrayaan-1, India's first lunar probe, was launched in October 2008. It successfully orbited the Moon and made significant discoveries, including evidence of water molecules on the lunar surface. This mission established India as a major space power.

The Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), also known as Mangalyaan, was launched in November 2013 and successfully entered Mars orbit on September 24, 2014. India became the fourth entity to reach Mars and the first Asian nation to do so, and the first in the world to succeed on its maiden attempt. Chandrayaan-2, launched in July 2019, aimed for a soft landing on the Moon, with its orbiter successfully continuing to provide data. Chandrayaan-3, launched in July 2023, successfully achieved a soft landing on the lunar south pole on August 23, 2023, making India the fourth country to achieve this feat and the first to land near the lunar south pole.

Future Programs and Human Spaceflight

ISRO has ambitious plans for the future. The Gaganyaan program aims to demonstrate India's human spaceflight capability by sending a crew of three astronauts to an orbit of 400 km for a 3-day mission and bringing them back safely to Earth. This program is a major technological and scientific undertaking, expected to be launched by 2025.

Other future missions include Shukrayaan-1, an orbiter mission to Venus, and Aditya-L1, India's first solar mission to study the Sun from a halo orbit around the L1 point. These missions highlight ISRO's commitment to expanding its scientific research and exploration capabilities, contributing significantly to global space science.

Important Keywords Explained

PSLVconcept

Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle. It is ISRO's third-generation launch vehicle. It is a four-stage rocket with alternating solid and liquid fuel stages. PSLV is primarily used for launching satellites into polar sun-synchronous orbits and has also been used for launching satellites into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). It is known for its reliability and has launched numerous Indian and foreign satellites.

GSLV Mk III (LVM3)concept

Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III, now officially called Launch Vehicle Mark 3 (LVM3). It is ISRO's heaviest launch vehicle, designed to launch 4-ton class satellites into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). It is a three-stage vehicle with two solid strap-on boosters, a liquid core stage, and a cryogenic upper stage. LVM3 is crucial for India's human spaceflight program, Gaganyaan.

Gaganyaanscheme

India's ambitious human spaceflight program. It aims to demonstrate India's capability to send a crew of three astronauts to an orbit of 400 km for a 3-day mission and bring them back safely to Earth. The mission will use the LVM3 launch vehicle. This program will make India the fourth nation to independently send humans into space.

Vikram Sarabhaiperson

An Indian physicist and astronomer who is widely regarded as the father of the Indian space program. He played a pivotal role in establishing the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR) in 1962, which later became ISRO. He envisioned the use of space technology for national development and laid the foundation for India's self-reliance in space.

Additional Facts & Context

• ISRO has launched 104 satellites in a single mission using PSLV-C37 on February 15, 2017, a world record.
• India became the first nation to reach Mars orbit on its maiden attempt with MOM in 2014.
• The total budget allocated for ISRO in the Union Budget 2023-24 was approximately 12,544 crore.
• ISRO's commercial arm, NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), was established in 2019 to transfer technologies and promote Indian space industries.
• Aditya-L1, India's first solar mission, was launched on September 2, 2023.