ISRO: Major Missions and Achievements Explained for UPSC SSC

ISRO's Foundation and Early Years

ISRO was founded on August 15, 1969, by Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, who is considered the father of the Indian space program. It replaced the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR), which was established in 1962. The primary objective was to develop space technology and apply it for national development. Early efforts focused on developing indigenous satellite launch capabilities and satellite communication.

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. Subsequent developments included the Satellite Launch Vehicle-3 (SLV-3), which successfully launched the Rohini satellite into orbit in 1980. This made India the sixth nation to achieve orbital launch capability. These early successes laid the groundwork for ISRO's future ambitious missions and self-reliance in space technology.

Satellite Launch Vehicles

ISRO has developed a series of robust satellite launch vehicles. The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is a workhorse, known for its reliability and versatility. It has successfully launched numerous Indian and foreign satellites into polar sun-synchronous orbits and geostationary transfer orbits. The PSLV has completed over 50 missions since its first successful launch in 1994, including Chandrayaan-1 and Mangalyaan.

The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) was developed to launch heavier communication satellites into geostationary transfer orbits. The GSLV Mark III, now known as LVM3 (Launch Vehicle Mark-3), is ISRO's heaviest operational launch vehicle. It is capable of launching 4-ton class satellites into GTO and 10-ton class satellites into LEO. LVM3 was instrumental in the Chandrayaan-2 and Chandrayaan-3 missions, demonstrating India's capability to launch complex interplanetary missions.

Lunar and Mars Missions

ISRO achieved a major milestone with Chandrayaan-1, India's first lunar probe, launched on October 22, 2008, using a PSLV-XL rocket. The mission successfully orbited the Moon and confirmed the presence of water molecules on the lunar surface, a significant scientific discovery. This mission established India as a key player in lunar exploration.

Following this, the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), also known as Mangalyaan, was launched on November 5, 2013, again using a PSLV-XL. India became the first Asian nation and the fourth entity globally to reach Mars orbit, and the first country to do so in its maiden attempt. This mission showcased ISRO's cost-effective approach to interplanetary exploration. Chandrayaan-2, launched in July 2019, aimed for a soft landing on the Moon, and while the lander faced issues, the orbiter continues to provide valuable data. Chandrayaan-3, launched on July 14, 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.

Navigation and Communication Satellites

ISRO has significantly contributed to India's communication and navigation infrastructure. The INSAT (Indian National Satellite System) series of satellites, started in 1983, revolutionized telecommunications, television broadcasting, meteorology, and disaster warning services in India. These geostationary satellites provide vital services across the country.

For navigation, ISRO developed the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), now known as NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation). NavIC is an independent regional navigation satellite system designed to provide accurate position information service to users in India and the region extending up to 1,500 km from its boundary. It consists of a constellation of seven satellites and ground stations, offering both standard positioning service and restricted service for authorized users. This system enhances India's strategic autonomy in navigation.

Future Missions and Vision

ISRO continues to plan and execute ambitious missions. The Gaganyaan mission aims to demonstrate 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 mission is a major step towards India's long-term human space exploration goals. Test flights for Gaganyaan are already underway.

Other future endeavors include the Aditya-L1 mission, India's first solar observatory mission to study the Sun, launched on September 2, 2023. ISRO also plans to develop a reusable launch vehicle (RLV) technology, which will significantly reduce the cost of space access. Further planetary exploration missions to Venus and beyond are also in the pipeline, solidifying India's position in global space exploration.

Important Keywords Explained

PSLVconcept

Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle. It is ISRO's third-generation launch vehicle. It is a four-stage rocket with solid and liquid fuel stages. PSLV is known for its reliability and has been used to launch numerous Indian and foreign satellites, including Chandrayaan-1 and Mangalyaan, into various orbits.

GSLVconcept

Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle. It is a three-stage launch vehicle designed to launch heavier communication satellites into Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO). The GSLV Mark III (LVM3) is its advanced version, capable of launching 4-ton class satellites to GTO and 10-ton class satellites to LEO.

NavICconcept

Navigation with Indian Constellation. Formerly known as IRNSS (Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System), NavIC is an independent regional navigation satellite system developed by ISRO. It provides accurate real-time positioning and timing services over India and a region extending up to 1,500 km around India.

Gaganyaanscheme

India's first human spaceflight mission. The objective of the Gaganyaan mission is 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, landing in the Indian sea waters.

Additional Facts & Context

• ISRO's headquarters are located in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
• The Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, is ISRO's primary spaceport.
• ISRO holds the world record for launching 104 satellites in a single mission on February 15, 2017, using PSLV-C37.
• The cost of the Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) was approximately 450 crore rupees (about $73 million).
• Aditya-L1, India's first solar mission, was launched on September 2, 2023.