Astrosat, India’s first space observatory, completes a decade among the stars, Pg12

Key Highlights:

• AstroSat, India's first space astronomy observatory, completed 10 years of operation on September 28, 2025.
• Launched on September 28, 2015, by PSLV-C30 (XL) from Sriharikota, AstroSat exceeded its initial 5-year mission life.
• The multi-wavelength observatory has five payloads to observe the universe across the electromagnetic spectrum.
• ISRO celebrated AstroSat's achievements, highlighting discoveries from black holes to distant galaxies.

Detailed Insights:

• AstroSat observes the universe in visible, ultraviolet, low and high energy X-ray regions simultaneously.
• Its five payloads include UVIT, LAXPC, CZTI, SXT, and SSM, each designed for specific observations.
• The mission is a collaborative effort involving major astronomy institutions in India, Canada, and the U.K.
• AstroSat has enabled groundbreaking insights, including the detection of FUV photons from galaxies 9.3 billion light years away.

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:

• Electromagnetic Spectrum: The range of all types of electromagnetic radiation, including visible light, UV, and X-rays.
• Payload: A set of scientific instruments carried by a spacecraft to perform specific tasks.
• Ultraviolet (UV): A form of electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths shorter than visible light.