ISRO facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Indian Space Research Organisation

भारतीय अंतरिक्ष अनुसंधान संगठन
ISRO Headquarters in Bangalore, India
Agency overview
Abbreviation	ISRO
Formed	15 August 1969; 55 years ago (1969-08-15)
Preceding agency	INCOSPAR (1962–1969)
Type	Space agency
Jurisdiction	Department of Space
Headquarters	Bangalore,Karnataka 13°2′7″N 77°34′16″E / 13.03528°N 77.57111°E / 13.03528; 77.57111
Chairman	Sreedhara Somanath
Primary spaceports	Satish Dhawan Space Centre Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station Kulasekarapattinam Spaceport
Owner	Government of India
Employees	19,247 (as on 1 March 2022)
Annual budget	₹13,042 crore (US$2.2 billion)

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is India's national space agency. It's like India's version of NASA! ISRO is in charge of everything related to space in India. This includes exploring space, working with other countries on space projects, and developing new space technologies.

ISRO is one of only a few space agencies in the world that can launch rockets, use special "cryogenic" engines (which use super-cold fuel), send missions to other planets, and manage many satellites. It's also one of only four agencies that can land spacecraft softly on other planets or moons.

Before it became ISRO, it was called the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR). This group was started in 1962 by Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister, based on ideas from Vikram Sarabhai, who is known as the father of India's space program. INCOSPAR grew and became ISRO in 1969. In 1972, the Indian government created the Department of Space (DoS) to oversee ISRO. This made space research a formal and important part of India's plans.

ISRO built India's first satellite, Aryabhata, which was launched by the Soviet Union in 1975. In 1980, ISRO launched its own satellite, RS-1, using its SLV-3 rocket. This made India the seventh country in the world to launch a satellite into orbit! Since then, ISRO has developed many powerful rockets and satellite systems. They have launched hundreds of satellites for India and other countries, and sent missions to the Moon and Mars.

ISRO has the world's largest group of satellites that take pictures of Earth. They also run important navigation systems like GAGAN and NavIC. They have sent three missions to the Moon and one to Mars. ISRO's work has greatly helped India's development in areas like disaster management, healthcare, and navigation. Their technologies have also led to new inventions in India's engineering and medical fields.

History of India's Space Journey

Early Steps in Space Research

India's journey into space research began way back in the 1920s. A scientist named Sisir Kumar Mitra did experiments using radio waves to study the ionosphere (a part of Earth's upper atmosphere) from Kolkata. Later, famous Indian scientists like C. V. Raman and Meghnad Saha also contributed to space science.

After 1945, two key scientists, Vikram Sarabhai and Homi J. Bhabha, pushed for more space research. Sarabhai started the Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmedabad, and Bhabha set up the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in 1945. Early experiments focused on studying cosmic radiation and the upper atmosphere.

In 1950, the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) was created, and it helped fund space research. India also studied meteorology (weather) and the Earth's magnetic field. In 1957, when the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1, it showed the world that space launches were possible.

The Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR) was formed in 1962 by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, following Dr. Vikram Sarabhai's idea. At first, space activities were part of the DAE. Officers from the Indian Ordnance Factories helped with rocket fuels and materials. H.G.S. Murthy became the first director of the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station. This is where India started launching small "sounding rockets" to study the upper atmosphere. India then developed its own series of sounding rockets called Rohini, which started launching in 1967. Another officer, Waman Dattatreya Patwardhan, developed the fuel for these rockets.

Growing in the 1970s and 1980s

Under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, INCOSPAR became ISRO. In 1972, a special Space Commission and the Department of Space (DoS) were set up to focus on space technology. ISRO became part of DoS, making space research a formal program in India. India joined the Soviet Interkosmos program, which helped launch India's first satellite, Aryabhatta, into orbit using a Soviet rocket.

After mastering sounding rocket technology, ISRO started working on a rocket that could put satellites into orbit. It took 7 years to develop the Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-3), which could carry a 40 kg (88 lb) satellite into a 400 km (250 mi) orbit. For this, ISRO built launch pads, ground stations, and tracking networks. The first SLV-3 launch in 1979 didn't quite work, but the second one in 1980 was a success! This made India the seventh country to reach Earth's orbit.

ISRO also started working on a more powerful rocket, the Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV), and later the PSLV. In 1985, ISRO's Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) was set up to develop a stronger engine called Vikas, based on a French design.

At the same time, ISRO developed technologies for the Indian National Satellite System (INSAT) for communication and the Indian Remote Sensing Programme (IRS) for observing Earth. These satellite systems grew to become some of the largest in the world, helping with communication, radar imaging, and weather forecasting.

The 1990s and New Challenges

The 1990s saw a big step forward with the arrival of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). Except for its first flight in 1994 and two small issues later, the PSLV has been very successful, with over 50 launches. It has helped India launch all its Earth-observing satellites and many satellites for other countries.

While PSLV was doing well, ISRO was also developing a new, heavier rocket called the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV). India tried to get special "cryogenic" engines (which use super-cold fuel) from Russia, but the US stopped the deal. This pushed India to develop its own cryogenic engine technology, which took two decades to perfect.

After the United States refused to help India with Global Positioning System (GPS) technology during the Kargil War, ISRO decided to develop its own satellite navigation system, IRNSS, which is now called NavIC.

The 21st Century: Big Achievements

In 2003, when China sent humans into space, India's Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee encouraged scientists to work on human space missions. ISRO launched Chandrayaan-1 in 2008, which was the first mission to confirm water on the Moon. In 2013, the Mars Orbiter Mission became the first Asian spacecraft to reach Mars' orbit, and India was the first country to succeed on its very first try!

Later, the GSLV rocket's own cryogenic engine became ready. This made India the sixth country to have full rocket launch capabilities. A new, heavier rocket called LVM3 was introduced in 2014. It can carry heavier satellites and will be used for future human space missions.

On August 23, 2023, India made history with Chandrayaan-3, successfully landing a spacecraft near the Moon's lunar south pole. This made India the first nation to achieve this. Then, on September 2, India successfully launched its first mission to study the Sun, called Aditya-L1.

ISRO's Logo

ISRO didn't have an official logo until 2002. The logo shows an orange arrow pointing upwards, with two blue satellite panels. The name ISRO is written in orange in the Indian Devanagari script on the left, and in blue English on the right.

Why ISRO Does What It Does

As India's national space agency, ISRO's main goal is to use space technology for many purposes. This includes research, observing Earth, and improving communications. They design and build rockets and satellites, and explore the upper atmosphere and deep space. ISRO has also helped new private space companies in India grow.

Vikram Sarabhai, the first head of INCOSPAR, explained in 1969 why space programs are important for a developing country like India:

We don't aim to compete with rich countries in exploring the Moon or planets, or sending humans to space. But we believe that to be important in the world, we must be the best at using advanced technologies to solve real problems for people and society in our country. And using smart technologies for our problems doesn't mean doing big, showy projects. It means making real progress that helps our economy and society.

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, who later became India's president, also said:

Many people with limited vision questioned why a new country struggling to feed its people needed space activities. But Prime Minister Nehru and Prof. Sarabhai knew exactly why. Their goal was clear: for Indians to be important globally, they had to be the best at using advanced technologies to solve their real-life problems. They never intended to use space just to show off our power.

As India's economy has grown, its space program has become more active. India wants to be more self-reliant in space technology. In 2008, India launched 11 satellites, including nine for other countries. This showed the world India's growing capabilities. ISRO has two main satellite systems: the Indian National Satellite System (INSAT) for communication and the Indian Remote Sensing Programme (IRS) for managing natural resources.

How ISRO is Organized

ISRO is managed by the Department of Space (DoS). DoS is overseen by the Space Commission and manages several important groups:

• Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
• Antrix Corporation – This is ISRO's business arm in Bengaluru.
• Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad
• National Atmospheric Research Laboratory (NARL), Gadanki, Andhra Pradesh
• NewSpace India Limited – Another business arm in Bengaluru.
• North-Eastern Space Applications Centre (NE-SAC), Umiam
• Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), Thiruvananthapuram – India's space university.

Research Centers

• Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (Thiruvananthapuram): This is ISRO's largest center. It develops rockets like the SLV-3, ASLV, PSLV, and GSLV.
• Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (Thiruvananthapuram and Bengaluru): This center designs and tests liquid-fueled engines for rockets and satellites.
• Physical Research Laboratory (Ahmedabad): Here, scientists study things like solar physics, astronomy, and Earth's atmosphere.
• National Atmospheric Research Laboratory (Tirupati): This lab does research in atmospheric and space sciences.
• Space Applications Centre (Ahmedabad): This center focuses on how to use space technology in practical ways, such as for telecommunications, remote sensing, and weather monitoring.
• North-Eastern Space Applications Centre (Shillong): This center helps the North East region of India by using space technology for development projects.

Test Facilities

• ISRO Propulsion Complex (Mahendragiri): This facility tests and puts together liquid engines for rockets and satellites.

Building and Launching Facilities

• U R Rao Satellite Centre (Bengaluru): This is where ISRO builds its satellites. Many famous Indian satellites like Aaryabhata and Bhaskara were built here.
• Laboratory for Electro-Optics Systems (Bengaluru): This unit develops special sensors for satellites and high-precision optics for cameras on ISRO satellites.
• Satish Dhawan Space Centre (Sriharikota): This is India's main rocket launch site. It also has the largest plant for making solid rocket fuel.
• Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (Thiruvananthapuram): This station is used to launch sounding rockets.

Tracking and Control Facilities

• Indian Deep Space Network (IDSN) (Bengaluru): This network tracks satellites far away, even beyond the Moon, and receives data from them.
• National Remote Sensing Centre (Hyderabad): This center uses remote sensing to manage natural resources and study aerial surveys.
• ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (Bengaluru and worldwide): This group handles software development, ground operations, and tracking and controlling satellites. They have stations in India and other countries like Mauritius, Russia, and Indonesia.
• Master Control Facility (Bhopal; Hassan): This facility controls satellites in geostationary orbit, testing their systems and keeping them running.
• Space Situational Awareness Control Centre (Peenya, Bengaluru): This center uses telescopes and radars to track space debris and protect India's satellites. It helps ISRO avoid relying on other countries for this information.

Training and Education

• Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS) (Dehradun): This institute trains professionals in remote sensing, using satellite data for managing natural resources and disasters.
• Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) (Thiruvananthapuram): This university offers courses in aerospace engineering and other space-related fields. Its graduates often join ISRO.
• Development and Educational Communication Unit (Ahmedabad): This center uses satellites for education and communication, especially through projects like GRAMSAT and EDUSAT.
• Space Technology Incubation Centres (S-TICs): These centers are set up at top technical universities across India (like Jalandhar, Bhopal, Agartala, Rourkela, Nagpur). They help new companies develop space-related products and work with ISRO.
• Space Innovation Centre (Burla, Sambalpur): This center at Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology encourages students to do research in space science and technology.
• Regional Academy Centre for Space (RAC-S): Located in various cities (Varanasi, Guwahati, Kurukshetra, Jaipur, Mangaluru, Patna), these centers raise awareness about space, work with universities, and help develop new space technologies.

Business Wings

• Antrix Corporation Limited: This is ISRO's marketing arm. It sells ISRO's products, services, and technologies to others.
• NewSpace India Limited: This wing focuses on selling ISRO's spin-off technologies and getting more industries involved in space programs.

Advanced Research and Safety

• Advanced Space Research Group (ASRG): ISRO and the IIST work together on space research projects. ASRG at IIST has access to ISRO facilities to help lead future space missions.
• Directorate of Space Situational Awareness and Management (DSSAM): This group in Bengaluru uses telescopes and radars to track space objects and debris. This helps protect India's satellites from collisions. They also work on a project called NETRA to track objects up to 36,000 km (22,000 mi) away. India also shares space safety information with the US.

Satellites ISRO Uses

Since launching Aryabhata in 1975, ISRO has sent many satellites into space. Today, ISRO manages one of the world's largest groups of communication and Earth-imaging satellites for both civilian and military uses.

The IRS Satellites

The Indian Remote Sensing satellites (IRS) are India's Earth observation satellites. They are the largest group of remote sensing satellites for civilian use. They take pictures of Earth from space, helping with things like city planning, studying oceans, and monitoring the environment. These satellites are placed in a special orbit called a Sun-synchronous orbit. Their names were changed to "EOS" in 2020.

The INSAT Satellites

The Indian National Satellite System (INSAT) is India's communication satellite system. These are large, multipurpose satellites that stay in a fixed position above Earth (geostationary orbit). They help with telecommunications, broadcasting, weather forecasting, and search-and-rescue operations. Since the first one was launched in 1983, INSAT has become the biggest communication system in the Asia-Pacific region. These satellites are also used by the Indian Armed Forces. Their names were changed to "GSAT" and then "CMS" from 2020.

Gagan Satellite Navigation System

GAGAN is India's own system to make GPS signals more accurate for civil aviation. It helps planes navigate more precisely. ISRO and the Airports Authority of India worked together to create this system.

Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC)

NavIC is India's independent navigation satellite system. It provides accurate location information to users in India and up to 1,500 km (930 mi) beyond its borders. It offers two types of services, with an accuracy of better than 20 meters (66 ft).

Other Important Satellites

Kalpana-1 was ISRO's first satellite specifically for weather forecasting. The Indo-French satellite SARAL helps monitor the ocean's surface and sea levels.

ISRO's Rockets

In the 1960s and 1970s, India decided to build its own rockets. By the 1980s, they had developed the Satellite Launch Vehicle-3 and the more advanced Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV).

Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV)

The SLV-3 was India's first rocket. Its first launch in 1979 failed, but a successful launch in 1980 made India the sixth country in the world to launch a satellite into orbit. After this, ISRO started developing bigger rockets.

Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV)

The ASLV was another small rocket developed in the 1980s. It was meant to help ISRO learn how to put satellites into geostationary orbit. However, ASLV had many failures and was eventually stopped so ISRO could focus on the PSLV.

Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)

The PSLV is India's first medium-lift rocket. It has been very successful, with over 50 launches. It is ISRO's main rocket for launching Earth-observing satellites and hundreds of satellites for other countries.

Here's how many PSLV launches have happened each decade:

Decade	Successful	Partial success	Failure	Total
1990s	3	1	1	5
2000s	11	0	0	11
2010s	33	0	1	34
2020s	10	0	0	10
Total	57	1	2	60

Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV)

The GSLV was designed in the 1990s to carry heavier satellites into geostationary orbit. ISRO faced challenges because it took a long time to develop its own cryogenic engine (CE-7.5). The US had prevented India from getting this technology from Russia, so India had to build it themselves.

Here's how many GSLV launches have happened each decade:

Decade	Successful	Partial success	Failure	Total
2000s	2	2	1	5
2010s	6	0	2	8
2020s	2	0	1	3
Total	10	2	4	16

Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3)

The LVM3, also known as GSLV Mk III, is ISRO's heaviest rocket. It has a very powerful cryogenic engine and boosters, allowing it to carry much heavier satellites. The LVM3 will also be used for India's first mission to send humans into space.

Here's how many LVM3 launches have happened each decade:

Decade	Successful	Partial success	Failure	Total
2010s	4	0	0	4
2020s	3	0	0	3
Total	7	0	0	7

Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV)

The SSLV is a small rocket developed by ISRO to launch small satellites. It can carry up to 500 kg (1,100 lb) to low Earth orbit. It's designed to be quick and easy to launch, and can drop off multiple satellites in different orbits.

Here's how many SSLV launches have happened each decade:

Decade	Successful	Partial success	Failure	Total
2020s	1	0	1	2

India's Human Spaceflight Program

ISRO first thought about sending humans to space in 2006. They started working on the necessary equipment and spacecraft. In 2007, they tested a 600 kg (1,300 lb) Space Capsule Recovery Experiment (SRE), which was launched by a PSLV rocket and returned safely to Earth 12 days later.

In 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India would send astronauts into space by 2022 using the new Gaganyaan spacecraft. ISRO has developed most of the needed technologies, like the crew module and escape system, space food, and life support systems. This project is expected to cost less than 100 billion Indian Rupees (about US$1.3 billion). It aims to send two or three Indian astronauts to an altitude of 300–400 km (190–250 mi) for at least seven days, using an LVM3 rocket.

Astronaut Training

The new Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) will manage India's human spaceflight program. ISRO will set up an astronaut training center in Bengaluru. This center will use simulators to train astronauts for rescue operations, survival in space, and understanding space radiation. They also built special centrifuges to prepare astronauts for the strong forces during launch. In 2019, ISRO signed an agreement with Russia's Glavcosmos for astronaut selection and training. Four Indian Air Force personnel completed training in Russia in March 2021.

Crewed Spacecraft: Gaganyaan

ISRO is building a spacecraft called Gaganyaan that can carry a crew of up to three people and stay in low Earth orbit for seven days. This spacecraft will be the foundation of India's human spaceflight program. An upgraded version is planned that can connect with other spacecraft. The first crewed mission is aimed for 2025.

India's Space Station

India plans to build its own space station after the Gaganyaan project. ISRO chairman K. Sivan said India will not join the International Space Station programme but will build its own 20-tonne (44,000 lb) space station. It will orbit at 400 km (250 mi) altitude and be able to host three astronauts for 15–20 days. This is expected to happen five to seven years after the Gaganyaan project is finished.

According to S. Somanath, the current ISRO chairman, the first part of the space station will be ready by 2028, and the full station by 2035. This space station will be a place for international research on future missions to other planets, studies on how things behave in space, space biology, and medicine.

Studying Planets and Stars

ISRO and the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research have been launching balloons from Hyderabad since 1967 to study cosmic rays.

ISRO also helped discover three types of bacteria in the upper atmosphere. These bacteria are very resistant to UV radiation and are not found elsewhere on Earth. One was named Bacillus isronensis after ISRO.

Astrosat

Launched in 2015, Astrosat is India's first space telescope that can observe different types of light (multi-wavelength). It studies things like active galaxies, hot white dwarfs, and black holes.

XPoSat

The X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) was launched on January 1, 2024. It studies the polarization of X-rays from bright objects in space. It is expected to work for at least five years.

Exploring Beyond Earth

Lunar Exploration (Moon Missions)

Chandrayaan (meaning "Mooncraft") is India's series of missions to explore the Moon. The first mission included an orbiter and an impact probe, while later missions have landers, rovers, and sample collection plans.

Chandrayaan-1

Chandrayaan-1 was India's first mission to the Moon. It was a robotic mission with a lunar orbiter and an impactor called the Moon Impact Probe. ISRO launched it on October 22, 2008. It entered lunar orbit on November 8, 2008. It carried high-tech equipment to map the Moon's surface and look for ice near the poles. Chandrayaan-1 carried 11 instruments, five from India and six from other countries like NASA and ESA. The mission team received several awards for their work.

Chandrayaan-2

Chandrayaan-2 was India's second mission to the Moon. It included an orbiter, a lander named Vikram, and a rover named Pragyan. It was launched on July 22, 2019. This mission aimed to explore the less-known lunar south pole region. The goal was to land the robotic rover to study the Moon's surface.

The Vikram lander was supposed to land on September 7, 2019. However, it went off course and contact was lost just before landing. A review found that a software problem caused the crash. Even though the lander failed, the orbiter was successfully placed in orbit and continued to work for seven years instead of the planned one year. ISRO planned another attempt to soft-land on the Moon in 2023.

Chandrayaan-3

Chandrayaan-3 was India's second attempt to soft-land on the Moon after the partial failure of Chandrayaan-2. This mission only included a lander and a rover, and it communicated with the orbiter from the previous mission.

On August 23, 2023, ISRO made history by successfully landing a spacecraft on the lunar south pole region. This made India the first space agency to achieve this, and only the fourth ever to land on the Moon.

Mars Exploration

Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) or Mangalyaan-1

The Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), also known as Mangalyaan (meaning "MarsCraft"), was launched on November 5, 2013. It entered Mars orbit on September 24, 2014. India became the first country to send a space probe to Mars orbit on its first try! This mission was also very low-cost, at $74 million.

MOM weighed 1,337 kg (2,948 lb) and carried 15 kg (33 lb) of scientific instruments. The mission team received the 2015 Space Pioneer Award for their achievement.

Solar Probes

Aditya-L1

On September 2, 2023, ISRO launched the 400 kg (880 lb) Aditya-L1 mission to study the Sun's outer atmosphere, called the solar corona. It is India's first space-based solar telescope for this purpose. The main goal is to study coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which are huge bursts of solar material, and how they affect space weather. On January 6, 2024, Aditya-L1 successfully reached its final orbit around the first Sun-Earth Lagrangian point (L1), about 1.5 million kilometers (930,000 mi) from Earth.

What's Next for ISRO

ISRO is working on more powerful and cleaner rocket engines. This will help them build even heavier rockets in the future. They also plan to use electric and nuclear power for satellites and spacecraft. This will make them lighter and allow them to work for much longer. In the long term, ISRO plans to send humans to the Moon and other planets.

New Engines and Rockets

Semi-cryogenic engine

The SCE-200 is a new rocket engine that uses a special type of kerosene fuel (called "ISROsene") and liquid oxygen. This engine will be cleaner and much more powerful. It will boost the LVM3 rocket's capacity and will be used in clusters to power India's future heavy rockets.

Methalox engine

ISRO is also developing reusable engines that use methane and liquid oxygen. Methane is cleaner and leaves less residue, meaning the engine needs less repair after use.

Modular heavy rockets

ISRO is designing new heavy-lift (HLV) and super-heavy lift (SHLV) rockets. These rockets will have parts that can be swapped, making them faster to build. They are planning a family of five modular rockets, called "Next Generation Launch Vehicle" (NGLV), which will replace ISRO's current PSLV, GSLV, and LVM3 rockets. These new rockets will be able to lift from 4.9 tonnes (10,800 lb) to 16 tonnes (35,000 lb) into geostationary transfer orbit.

Reusable launch vehicles

ISRO is working on two projects for reusable rockets. One is the ADMIRE test vehicle, which takes off and lands vertically. The other is the RLV-TD program, which aims to develop a spacecraft that launches vertically but lands like an airplane.

To make a fully reusable rocket, ISRO is doing a series of tests. The winged Reusable Launch Vehicle Technology Demonstrator (RLV-TD) is being used for this. It acts as a flying testbed to try out technologies like very fast flight and autonomous landing. The first test flight, RLV-TD, was launched in February 2016. It weighed about 1.5 tonnes (3,300 lb) and flew up to 70 km (43 mi). This test was successful. Future tests will focus on landing and return flights.

Spacecraft Power and Movement

Electric thrusters

India is working on replacing traditional chemical rocket engines with electric thrusters, like Hall-effect and plasma thrusters. These make spacecraft lighter. GSAT-9, launched in 2017, used a xenon-based electric propulsion system. GSAT-20 is expected to be India's first fully electric satellite.

Alpha source thermoelectric propulsion technology

This technology, also called RTG, uses heat from radioactive materials to power spacecraft. In 2021, ISRO started looking for help to design a 100-watt RTG. RTGs make spacecraft last much longer and are lighter than solar panels. Developing RTGs will allow ISRO to send long-duration missions to planets far away.

ISRO also successfully tested radioisotope heater units on the Chandrayaan-3 mission. They also plan to work with the Department of Atomic Energy to use nuclear propulsion for future space missions.

Quantum Technology

Satellite-based quantum communication

At the Indian Mobile Congress (IMC) 2023, ISRO showed its satellite-based quantum communication technology, called quantum key distribution (QKD). This technology creates very secure communication that even powerful quantum computers cannot easily break. In September 2023, ISRO successfully demonstrated quantum communication over 300 meters, including video calls using quantum-encrypted signals.

Future Missions to Other Planets

Destination	Craft name	Launch vehicle	Year
Moon	LUPEX	H3	2026
Moon	Chandrayaan-4	PSLV,LVM3	2028
Venus	Venus Orbiter Mission	GSLV	2028-31
Mars	Mars Orbiter Mission 2 (Mangalyaan-2)	LVM3	2024

Lunar exploration

The Lunar Polar Exploration Mission (LUPEX) is a planned mission with Japan's space agency (JAXA). It will send a lunar rover and lander to explore the Moon's south pole around 2026. JAXA will likely provide the rocket and rover, while ISRO will be in charge of the lander.

ISRO also aims to land an astronaut on the Moon by 2040.

Mars exploration

The next Mars mission, Mars Orbiter Mission 2 or Mangalyaan 2, is planned for launch in 2024. This new spacecraft will be much heavier and have better equipment than the first one. It will only have an orbiter.

Venus exploration

ISRO is planning an orbiter mission to Venus called Venus Orbiter Mission. It could launch as early as 2023 to study the planet's atmosphere. A mission to Venus is scheduled for 2025 and will include an instrument co-developed with French and Russian space agencies.

Asteroids and outer solar system

ISRO is also thinking about sending spacecraft to asteroids and Jupiter in the long term. If they send a mission to Jupiter, it would need to fly past Venus first. Developing RTG power could allow ISRO to undertake deeper space missions to the outer planets.

Future Space Telescopes

AstroSat-2

AstroSat-2 is the planned follow-up to the AstroSat mission.

Exoworlds

Exoworlds is a joint project by ISRO, IIST, and the University of Cambridge. It's a space telescope specifically designed to study the atmospheres of planets outside our solar system (exoplanets), planned for 2025.

Upcoming Satellites

Satellite name	Launch vehicle	Year	Purpose	Notes
GSAT-20	Falcon 9	2024	Communications
GISAT 2	GSLV	2024	Earth observation	To provide continuous images of the Indian subcontinent and quickly monitor natural disasters.
IDRSS	GSLV	2024	Data relay and satellite tracking constellation	Helps spacecraft in low Earth orbit communicate with ground stations in real-time and allows satellites to talk to each other.
NISAR	GSLV	2024	Earth observation	A joint project between NASA and ISRO. It will be the first radar imaging satellite to use two different frequencies.
DISHA	PSLV	2024–25	Aeronomy	A constellation of two satellites to study the ionosphere (a part of Earth's upper atmosphere).
AHySIS-2	PSLV	2024	Earth observation	A follow-up to the HySIS satellite, which takes hyperspectral images of Earth.

Geospatial intelligence satellites

ISRO plans to launch about 50 satellites between 2024 and 2028. These satellites will use artificial intelligence to collect geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) from different orbits. They will help track military movements and take pictures of important areas for national security. These satellites will use various technologies like thermal, optical, and radar imaging. Each satellite will be able to communicate and work with others in space to gather intelligence.

New Launch Facilities

Kulasekharapatnam Spaceport

Kulasekharapatnam Spaceport is a new launch site being built in Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu. Once finished, it will be ISRO's second launch facility. This spaceport will mainly be used for launching small satellites.

How ISRO's Work Helps India

Telecommunication

India uses its large satellite communication network for many things. This includes managing land and water resources, forecasting natural disasters, radio broadcasting, weather forecasting, and computer communication. Businesses and government services also benefit from satellite technology.

Military Use

The Integrated Space Cell in India's Ministry of Defence uses India's satellites for military purposes and protects them from threats. India has the fourth largest number of active satellites for military and civilian uses. This includes satellites like GSAT-7A for the Air Force and Navy. GSAT-7A helps the Air Force link ground radar stations and aircraft for better communication during operations. It's also used by the Army for helicopters and drones. The RISAT series of satellites are also used for military radar imaging. EMISAT, launched in 2019, is an electronic intelligence satellite that helps the Indian Armed Forces find and locate enemy radars.

ISRO's rockets and satellites have also helped India's missile program. For example, the Agni missile was developed using technology from ISRO's SLV-3 rocket. While ISRO initially focused on peaceful uses, its technologies have also been adapted for defense.

Education

Universities like the Indira Gandhi National Open University and the Indian Institutes of Technology use satellites for teaching. Between 1975 and 1976, India ran a huge project called Satellite Instructional Television Experiment (SITE). It used NASA's ATS-6 satellite to broadcast educational videos in local languages to 2,400 villages. This greatly improved education in rural areas.

Telemedicine

ISRO uses its technology for telemedicine. This connects patients in rural areas directly to doctors in cities via satellite. Since good healthcare isn't always available in remote parts of India, doctors in urban centers can diagnose and advise patients in real-time through video calls. Mobile telemedicine vans also visit remote areas to provide medical support.

Biodiversity Information System

ISRO helped create India's Biodiversity Information System, finished in 2002. This system uses satellite images and mapping to create detailed maps of vegetation cover. It links genetic information of plant species with their locations in important ecological areas like northeastern India and the Western Ghats.

Cartography (Map Making)

The Indian IRS-P5 (CARTOSAT-1) satellite was designed to make maps with high-resolution cameras. It was followed by the more advanced IRS-P6, which also helped with agricultural applications. The CARTOSAT-2 project then improved on this, providing detailed, on-the-spot images.

Spin-off Technologies

ISRO's research has led to many useful inventions for other industries. For example, they developed bionic limbs for people with disabilities, silica aerogel to keep soldiers warm in very cold places, and special transmitters for accident alerts. They also created Doppler weather radar and various sensors for industrial inspections.

Working with Other Countries

ISRO has signed many agreements with countries like Afghanistan, Argentina, Australia, France, Germany, Japan, Russia, the United States, and many others. They also work with international groups like the European Space Agency (ESA).

Important Joint Projects

• Chandrayaan-1 carried scientific instruments from NASA, ESA, and other countries.
• Indo-French satellite missions: ISRO has worked with France's CNES on missions like Megha-Tropiques (to study water in the atmosphere) and SARAL (to measure ocean levels). A third mission, TRISHNA, is being planned to take thermal images of Earth.
• LUPEX: This is a joint mission with Japan's JAXA to explore the Moon's polar regions. India is providing the soft landing technology.
• NISAR: The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar is a joint project with NASA. It will be the world's first radar imaging satellite to use two different frequencies.

Other ways ISRO works with the world:

• ISRO helps with the international COSPAS/SARSAT Programme for Search and Rescue.
• India has a United Nations-sponsored center for space science and technology education in Asia and the Pacific.
• India is a member of many international space committees and organizations.
• They are helping to create a virtual satellite system for remote sensing with other BRICS countries.

ISRO's Numbers

(Last updated: March 26, 2023)

• Total foreign satellites launched by ISRO: 417 (from 34 countries)
• Spacecraft missions: 116
• Rocket launches: 86
• Student satellites launched: 13
• Re-entry missions (where spacecraft return to Earth): 2

Images for kids

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  ISRO Logo

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  ISRO Headquarters in Bangalore, India

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  Vikram Sarabhai, known as the father of the Indian space program.

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  Vikram Sarabhai, the first leader of INCOSPAR, ISRO's early organization.

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  The way the Indian Department of Space is set up.

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  INSAT-1B satellite.

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  The INSAT-1B satellite. Broadcasting in India relies heavily on the INSAT system.

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  Comparing Indian carrier rockets. From left to right: SLV, ASLV, PSLV, GSLV, LVM3.

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  A stamp showing the SLV-3 D1 carrying the RS-D1 satellite into orbit.

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  PSLV-C11 lifting off with Chandrayaan-1, India's first mission to the Moon.

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  GSLV-F08 launching GSAT-6A into orbit in 2018.

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  SSLV D1 lifting off from SDSC FLP.

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  Astrosat-1 ready for use.

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  XPoSat satellite.

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  A picture of the Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft.

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  The Vikram lander on top of the orbiter for Chandrayaan-2.

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  Artist's drawing of the Mars Orbiter Mission spacecraft with Mars in the background.

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  RLV-TD HEX01 launching from Satish Dhawan Space Centre First Launch Pad (SDSC SHAR) on May 23, 2016.