UPSC Notes for Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO): History, Objectives, and Achievements

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is India’s national space agency, known globally for its cost-effective, efficient space missions. It operates under the Department of Space (which reports directly to the Prime Minister). 

For UPSC, ISRO is important as it links science, technology, governance, and India’s global role, topics often asked in both Prelims and Mains.

Key Facts About ISRO:

• Established: 15 August 1969 (replacing the earlier INCOSPAR body).
• Leadership: Founded under the vision of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, the “father” of India’s space program.
• Headquarters: Bengaluru (formerly Bangalore) in Karnataka.
• Vision: Harness, sustain, and augment space technology for national development while pursuing space science research and planetary exploration.

ISRO’s roots go back to the early 1960s when India first organised its space research efforts. Important milestones are:

• 1962: INCOSPAR (Indian National Committee for Space Research) was set up under the Department of Atomic Energy, led by Dr. Vikram Sarabhai.
• 1963: India’s first sounding rocket (Nike–Apache) was launched from Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS) in Kerala.
• 1969: ISRO was formally established on 15 August 1969, with its headquarters in Bengaluru, replacing INCOSPAR.
• 1972: The Indian government created a Space Commission and the Department of Space (DOS); ISRO was placed under DOS in September 1972.
• Visionary Founder: Dr. Vikram A. Sarabhai is regarded as the founding father of India’s space program.

Also read:  Samudrayaan Mission: India’s Journey into the Deep Ocean.

ISRO’s guiding goal is to use space technology for national development. Its main objectives include:

• Launch Vehicles: Design and development of launch vehicles (e.g., PSLV, GSLV, and SSLV) to provide reliable access to space.
• Satellites: Design and development of satellites for applications such as earth observation, communication, navigation, meteorology, and space science.
• Space Applications: Use of satellite systems for telecommunication, television broadcasting, and remote sensing programmes to support agriculture, resource management, and disaster management.
• Research & Exploration: Promotion of space science research and planetary exploration missions.
• National Programs: Execution of national space programmes through various ISRO centres, under the Department of Space.

Over five decades, ISRO has achieved numerous milestones that have advanced India’s space capability and societal development:

• Satellite Instructional TV Experiment (SITE, 1975–76): The world’s largest educational broadcasting experiment, sending science and education programs to 2,400 villages.
• SLV-3 Launch Vehicle (1980): India’s first satellite launch vehicle; in 1980, it successfully placed the 40 kg Rohini satellite into orbit.
• Communications Revolution (INSAT): The INSAT series (e.g., INSAT-1B in 1983) created a communications boom in India, transforming telecom, television, and meteorology.
• Remote Sensing (IRS) Satellites: Indigenous IRS satellites (starting 1988) provided data for agriculture, forestry, and water resource mapping, enhancing planning and management.
• Launch Record (PSLV, 2017): ISRO’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C37) set a world record by launching 104 satellites in a single mission.
• Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan, 2014): First Asian mission to Mars; placed a spacecraft in Martian orbit for just $74 million, making India the fourth country to reach Mars.
• Chandrayaan Lunar Missions: Chandrayaan-1 (2008) was India’s first mission to the Moon. Chandrayaan-3 (July 2023) achieved India’s first successful soft landing on the lunar surface.
• Solar and Astronomy Missions: ASTROSAT (2015) – India’s first space telescope for multi-wavelength astronomy. Aditya-L1 (launched Sep 2023) – India’s first solar observation satellite.
• Navigation System (NAVIC/GAGAN): NAVIC, an indigenous regional navigation satellite system, provides Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) services over India. GAGAN (Indian SBAS) augments GPS for aviation over India.

ISRO’s space programmes span a wide range: from communication satellites to deep-space probes. ISRO’s other major missions include:

• Communication Satellites: INSAT/GSAT series for TV, telecom, and meteorology (INSAT) and broadcasting.
• Earth Observation: IRS/Cartosat/Oceansat series – high-resolution remote-sensing satellites for mapping, agriculture, and environment monitoring.
• Navigation: NavIC/IRNSS constellation – seven satellites providing regional GPS coverage for India and neighbours.
• Lunar Missions: Chandrayaan-1 (2008), Chandrayaan-2 (2019), Chandrayaan-3 (2023) for Moon exploration.
• Mars Mission: Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM, 2013) – first Indian mission to Mars.
• Astrophysics: AstroSat (2015) – space telescope studying stars and galaxies simultaneously in X-ray, UV, and optical. XPoSat (2024) – satellite dedicated to X-ray polarimetry. Aditya-L1 (2023) – solar observatory at the Sun-Earth L1 point.
• Others: Navigation satellites (IRNSS-NavIC, GSAT-*), technology demonstrators (RLV reusable vehicle tests, advances in rocket propulsion).
• Human Spaceflight (planned): Gaganyaan – India’s upcoming crewed spacecraft (uncrewed tests ongoing, crewed mission targeted by ~2027).
• International: NISAR (planned 2025) – joint NASA–ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar satellite for earth observation.

Specialised centres across the country support ISRO’s work:

ISRO’s satellites and missions have delivered significant benefits to India:

• Communications & Broadcasting: INSAT/GSAT satellites enable nationwide satellite TV/radio, telecommunications networks, and tele-education/telemedicine links.
• Weather Forecasting: Meteorological satellites (INSAT series) provide data for accurate weather prediction, cyclone warning, and climate monitoring.
• Agriculture & Natural Resources: IRS satellites help map crops, forests, water bodies, minerals, and urban growth, aiding resource management and policy planning.
• Navigation Services: NAVIC delivers region-specific Positioning, Navigation, and Timing services, independent of foreign systems.
• Disaster Management: Satellite imagery supports early warning and damage assessment for floods, droughts, and disasters.
• Education & Development: Projects like SITE and Krishi Darshan used satellites to broadcast educational and agricultural information to rural areas, improving literacy and productivity.

Also read: Mission Sudarshan Chakra: India’s Indigenous Air Defence System

As ISRO expands, it faces challenges even as new opportunities arise:

• Budget Constraints: ISRO operates on a relatively modest budget, making it challenging to fund ambitious missions alongside routine operations.
• Regulatory Framework: A lack of a comprehensive space law (Space Activities Bill) has delayed private sector participation and foreign collaboration.
• Talent & Technology: Attracting and retaining top space scientists and engineers is competitive, given global demand for such skills.
• Dependence on Foreign Assets: Currently, over one-third of India’s satellite transponder capacity is leased internationally, highlighting the need to boost domestic capabilities.
• Space Debris & Sustainability: Increasing space traffic raises concerns about orbital debris and the long-term sustainability of space activities.

ISRO has grown from humble beginnings in the 1960s to a world-leading space agency. Its achievements in communication, navigation, earth observation, and deep-space exploration have made India a “space superpower”.

ISRO’s cost-effective, innovative approach continues to inspire new generations of scientists and contributes significantly to India’s socio-economic development.

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