Aryabhata (satellite) facts for kids
Aryabhata was India's very first satellite. It was named after a famous Indian astronomer and mathematician from ancient times. This special satellite marked a huge step for India in exploring space.
File photo of Aryabhata, India's first indigenously built satellite.
|
|
| Mission type | Astrophysics |
|---|---|
| Operator | ISRO |
| Mission duration | 4 days achieved |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Launch mass | 360 kg (794 lb) |
| Power | 46 watts |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 19 April 1975, 07:30 UTC |
| Rocket | Kosmos-3M |
| Launch site | Kapustin Yar 107/2 |
| End of mission | |
| Last contact | 24 April 1975 |
| Decay date | 10 February 1992 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Low Earth |
| Perigee | 568 kilometres (353 mi) |
| Apogee | 611 kilometres (380 mi) |
| Inclination | 50.6 degrees |
| Period | 96.46 minutes |
| Epoch | 19 May 1975 |
Contents
India's First Satellite
Aryabhata was the very first satellite built by India. It was a big moment for the country. The satellite was named after a famous Indian astronomer and mathematician. He lived a long time ago, around 476–550 CE.
Launching into Space
Aryabhata was launched on April 19, 1975. It took off from a place called Kapustin Yar. This launch site was in the Soviet Union, which is now Russia. A rocket named Kosmos-3M carried Aryabhata into orbit. The satellite weighed about 360 kilograms (794 pounds).
What Aryabhata Did
The main goal of Aryabhata was to study space. It was designed for Astrophysics research. This means it helped scientists learn more about stars, planets, and other things in space. The satellite was supposed to work for a while. However, it stopped sending signals after just four days. Even so, it was a huge success for India. It showed that India could build and launch its own satellites.
Its Journey Ends
Even though it stopped working early, Aryabhata stayed in orbit for many years. It finally re-entered Earth's atmosphere on February 10, 1992. This means it fell back towards Earth and burned up. Aryabhata paved the way for many more Indian space missions.
Images for kids
-
Illustration of Aryabhata spacecraft on ₹2 currency bill
_Aryabhata.jpg)
See also
In Spanish: Aryabhata (satélite) para niños
