ISRO: The premier space organization of India
ISRO, or the Indian Space Research Organisation, is one of the leading space agencies in the world. It has achieved many milestones in space exploration and technology, such as launching the first Indian satellite, sending probes to the Moon and Mars, and launching a record number of satellites in a single mission. However, there are many facts about ISRO that are not widely known or appreciated. Here are 10 amazing facts about ISRO that will make you admire this organisation even more.
Image: ISRO
1. ISRO was founded after Pakistan’s space agency, but surpassed it in achievements
Established in 1969, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) emerged eight years after Pakistan's SUPARCO. Despite the time gap, ISRO has outstripped its counterpart in achievements and capabilities. While SUPARCO anticipates acquiring satellite launching capabilities by 2040, ISRO sets its sights on ambitious goals. By that time, ISRO aims to achieve missions to Venus and revisit Mars, showcasing India's significant strides in space exploration.
Image: TIFR Archives
2. ISRO’s first satellite was not named after the famous mathematician Aryabhata
ISRO’s first satellite, Aryabhata, was launched by the Soviet Union in 1975, but it was not named after the famous Indian mathematician and astronomer. It was named after the village of Aryabhata in Karnataka, where the satellite was fabricated.
Image: ISRO
3. ISRO’s Apple Satellite was carried on a bullock cart for a test
ISRO’s Apple Satellite, which was launched in 1981, was carried on a bullock cart for an antenna-range test. This was done because bullock carts are made of wood, which does not interfere with the signals, unlike metal trucks.
Image: ISRO
4. ISRO’s Chandrayaan-1 made India the fourth country to host its flag on the Moon
ISRO’s Chandrayaan-1, which was launched in 2008, made India the fourth country to hoist its flag on the Moon. It also discovered the presence of water molecules on the lunar surface, which was confirmed by NASA later.
Image: ESA
5. ISRO’s Mars Orbiter Mission was cheaper than the movie Gravity
ISRO’s Mars Orbiter Mission, which was launched in 2013, made India the first country to reach the Martian orbit in its first attempt, and the only country to do so at a cost lower than the budget of the Hollywood movie Gravity. The mission cost only $74 million, compared to NASA’s Maven mission, which cost $671 million.
Image: ISRO/Warner Bros.
6. ISRO’s PSLV holds the world record for launching the most satellites on a single mission
ISRO’s PSLV, or Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, is one of the most reliable and versatile launch vehicles in the world. It has launched over 300 satellites from 33 countries, including 104 satellites in a single mission in 2017, which is a world record.
Image: ISRO
7. ISRO’s INSAT system is one of the largest communication satellite systems in the region
The Indian National Satellite (INSAT) system, pioneered by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), stands as a beacon of technological advancement in the Asia-Pacific region. Renowned for its expansive coverage and versatility, INSAT delivers a wide array of vital services including telecommunications, television broadcasting, meteorology, and disaster warning.
Image: NASA
8. ISRO’s IRS satellites are among the best in the world for earth observation and resource management
ISRO’s IRS, or Indian Remote Sensing, satellites are among the best in the world for earth observation and resource management. They provide data for applications such as agriculture, forestry, urban planning, water resources, and disaster management.
Image: ISRO
9. ISRO’s Antrix Corporation is the commercial arm of the organisation
ISRO’s Antrix Corporation is the commercial arm of the organisation, which promotes and markets ISRO’s products, services, and technologies. It achieved a turnover of Rs. 18 billion in 2014-15 and was awarded ‘Miniratna’ status by the government in 2008.
Image: ISRO
10. ISRO’s Bhuvan is a web-based geoportal that allows users to explore the Earth
ISRO’s Bhuvan is a web-based geoportal that allows users to explore a 2D/3D representation of the surface of the Earth. It provides high-resolution satellite imagery, thematic maps, and various analysis tools.
Image: Canva
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