From Isro’s Bullock Cart to Gaganyaan: India’s space journey in 77 Years of independence

Aryabhata satellite was launched on April 19, 1975, aboard a Soviet Kosmos-3M rocket from the Volgograd Launch Station in Russia. It represented India's first venture into space exploration. Weighing over 360 kg, this satellite was entirely designed, manufactured, and assembled in India.

​In 1981, when Indian space scientists were unable to find a metal-free, portable platform for the first communication satellite, APPLE, they chose a cost-effective solution and transported their satellite on a creaky, old bullock cart.

Launched in 1983, the Indian National Satellite (INSAT) is one of the largest domestic communication satellite systems in the Asia-Pacific region. INSAT supports over 200 services, including television broadcasting, satellite newsgathering, social applications, weather forecasting, disaster warning, and search and rescue operations. (Photo: NASA)

The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) was launched in October 1994 and is India's third-generation launch vehicle. It has successfully launched a multitude of Indian and international satellites. The PSLV played a key role in launching two significant spacecraft: Chandrayaan-1 and Mars Orbiter Spacecraft. (Photo: ISRO)

Launched successfully on October 22, 2008, Chandrayaan-1 made a major scientific breakthrough by detecting water molecules on the lunar surface. This mission elevated India to the ranks of nations advancing lunar exploration. (Photo: ISRO)

In 2014, India made history with the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), also known as Mangalyaan, becoming the first country to reach Mars orbit on its first attempt. It was launched on November 5, 2013, by the PSLV-C25 rocket from Sriharikota. Although its intended mission duration was six months, MOM continues to orbit Mars, celebrating seven years in space as of September 24, 2021.

AstroSat, India's inaugural dedicated multi-wavelength space telescope, was launched on September 28, 2015, using a PSLV-XL rocket. (Photo: ISRO)

The GSLV-Mk III is designed to launch satellites weighing up to 4 tons into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). The GSLV Mk III-D1 successfully launched the GSAT-19 on June 5, 2017. (Photo: ISRO)

India's Chandrayaan-3 mission made history on August 23, 2023, with an exceptionally smooth landing on Moon's south pole. (Photo: ISRO)

India’s first solar observatory Aditya-L1 was launched on September 2, 2023. It arrived its destination, L1, the first Sun-Earth Lagrangian point, on January 6, 2024.

The Gaganyaan project aims to demonstrate human spaceflight capability by launching a crew of three members into a 400 km orbit for a three-day mission, followed by a safe return to Earth with a landing in Indian sea waters. The launch is expected at the end of 2024. (Photo: ISRO)