India Marks 50 Years of Aryabhata and Celebrating the Launch of Its First Indigenous Satellite.
Science and Technology
In April 2025, India commemorated the 50th anniversary of its first satellite, Aryabhata, launched on 19th April 1975. This historic milestone marks five decades of India’s journey in space exploration and reflects the achievements of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
- Aryabhata was launched aboard a Soviet Kosmos-3M rocket from Kapustin Yar in Astrakhan Oblast, Russia, with assistance from the USSR. This international collaboration enabled India’s initial steps into the global space arena.
- Developed by ISRO under the guidance of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai and Prof. U.R. Rao, Aryabhata weighed 360 kilograms. It had a 26-sided polyhedron design with a diameter of 1.4 meters, and its power was derived from 24 solar-panel-covered faces generating 46 watts.
- The satellite’s primary mission was to conduct scientific experiments in Solar Physics, Aeronomy, and X-ray Astronomy. These studies contributed valuable data for ISRO's early research efforts despite technical setbacks.
Main Point :- (i) Aryabhata made India the 11th country to launch a satellite into orbit. Although it faced a power failure after five days, it successfully transmitted critical data and stayed in orbit for nearly 17 years, re-entering Earth’s atmosphere on 11th February 1992.
(ii) The satellite was named after the renowned ancient Indian mathematician and astronomer Aryabhata. Then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi selected the name from a shortlist that included Aryabhata, Mitra, and Jawahar.
(iii) Aryabhata laid the groundwork for India’s satellite technology and inspired major missions like Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan. Since 1975, ISRO has developed 131 satellites, with 55 currently operational, showcasing India's strong presence in global space exploration.
About Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
Chairman : Dr. V. Narayanan
Headquarters Bengaluru, Karnataka
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