ISRO

The Indian Space Research Organisation, known as ISRO, is India's national space agency.

Headquartered in Bengaluru, Karnataka, it serves as the primary research and development arm for the Department of Space (DoS). The Prime Minister of India oversees this department. The Chairman of ISRO also acts as the chief executive of the DoS. ISRO is responsible for space-based operations and space exploration. It also manages international space cooperation and develops related technologies. The agency maintains a massive constellation of satellites for imaging, communications, and remote sensing.

ISRO functions through a complex system of launch vehicles and satellite constellations. To reach space, the agency uses various rockets to carry payloads. These include small-lift and medium-lift launch vehicles for different mission needs. One major system is the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). The PSLV became a major boost for India in the 1990s. After its first flight in 1994, it achieved a streak of over 50 successful flights.

For heavier satellites, ISRO uses the LVM3, a heavy-lift launcher. The agency also utilizes cryogenic engines. These engines use extremely cold fuel to provide high power. This technology allows ISRO to deploy satellites into complex orbits. ISRO is one of only six agencies globally with full launch capabilities, including cryogenic engines.

Space exploration involves distinct types of missions and technologies. ISRO manages navigation systems like the IRNSS, which is now called NaVIC. This system helps with positioning and navigation. The agency also conducts deep space missions to other planets. For example, the Mars Orbiter Mission reached Martian orbit in 2013. This made India the first country to succeed at this on its first attempt.

Another advanced capability is space docking. In early 2025, the SpaDeX mission successfully demonstrated spacecraft rendezvous and docking. This makes India the fourth country to achieve successful space docking. This process allows two satellites to meet and join together as one entity.

The history of Indian space science began with early individual experiments. In the 1920s, S. K. Mitra studied the ionosphere using ground-based radio in Kolkata. Later, scientists C. V. Raman and Meghnad Saha contributed to important scientific principles. In 1962, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru established INCOSPAR. This was done following a recommendation from scientist Vikram Sarabhai.

INCOSPAR was later renamed ISRO in 1969. In 1972, the government created a space commission and the DoS. This move institutionalized space research in India. This structure brought ISRO under the formal oversight of the Department of Space.

India's journey reached major milestones through specific technological achievements. In 1975, ISRO built its first satellite, Aryabhata, which the Soviet Union launched. A major turning point occurred in 1980. ISRO launched the RS-1 satellite using its own SLV-3 launch vehicle. This made India the seventh country to undertake orbital launches.

Later, the development of the GSLV helped India reach geostationary orbits. Although the US blocked access to certain cryogenic technology, India developed its own indigenous cryogenic technology over two decades. This allowed for much more powerful and reliable space launches.

Recent years have seen incredible successes in lunar and solar exploration. In 2008, the Chandrayaan-1 mission was launched to study the Moon. This probe was the first to verify the presence of water on the Moon. In August 2023, the Chandrayaan-3 mission achieved a historic soft landing.

This mission made India the first nation to land near the lunar south pole. It also made India the fourth nation to land on the Moon. Following this, ISRO launched Aditya-L1 in September 2023. This was India's first solar probe, designed to study the Sun.

ISRO's work has significant connections to both civilian and military needs. The agency's technology supports disaster management and telemedicine. It also provides essential data for reconnaissance and navigation. These technologies help improve socio-economic development across the country. Furthermore, ISRO's spin-off technologies aid innovations in many engineering domains. The agency is even preparing for human spaceflight through the Gaganyaan programme. This mission aims to send humans into space, representing a massive step for Indian science.