On certain occasions when we look up at the night sky, we can’t help but imagine how wonderful it might be to actually be there.
While we might not have set foot in places like the Moon, we can proudly say, India has@
Ever since its inception in the year 1969, ISRO has been making our country proud. Most recently, with its announcement of the landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the Moon. ISRO has to its credit a string of achievements. Undoubtedly, some ISRO discoveries have firmly cemented its place as a leader in Space Research.
In this article we will turn back the wheels of time, and take a look at the several successful missions ISRO has under its belt.
Time to buckle up, as we journey into time and shed light on the ISRO missions in years gone by.
ISRO Missions: A Flashback in Time
Here’s taking a look at the major achievements of ISRO.
- Aryabhata, 1975
- Indian National Satellite System (INSAT) Series
- Chandrayaan-1, 2008
- Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), 2014
- Chandrayaan-3
- Aditya L1
Aryabhata was the first Indian Satellite, named after the legendary Indian astronomer Aryabhata. The entire process of manufacturing, designing and assembly of this satellite, was undertaken in India. Launched on April 19, 1975, from Volgograd Launch Station in Russia, it paved the way for ISRO’s other missions to come.
This one brought about a revolution in India’s Telecommunications Sector. The INSAT System is among the largest domestic communication satellite systems in the entire Asia-Pacific Area. Having over 200 correspondents, it provides a vast host of services that include but are not limited to, Television Transmission, Weather Forecasting and Search and Rescue activities.
We might have just gone to the moon of late, but we were there a long time ago, too. On October 22, 2008, Chandrayaan-1 landed successfully on the moon. When speaking of ISRO discoveries, this one is huge. The craft was responsible for detecting water molecules on the lunar surface. This is in fact how the entire world got to know that there is Water on the Moon!
Did you know that while other countries in the world might have left their mark on the surface of Mars, India is the first country to do so on the very first attempt? It was on November 5th, 2013, that Mangalyaan was launched from Sriharikota. With this herculean feat, ISRO became the fourth space agency to successfully launch a spacecraft into orbit around Mars.
A list of major ISRO missions is incomplete without its most spectacular mission that has everyone excited of late. With its flourishing success, India has become part of the Inner Circle of four elite nations in the world to have landed on the moon, after the U.S. and China.
Interesting Fact: What is truly remarkable about this mission, is that India has become the first nation in the world to successfully land on the South Pole of the Moon.
This one is the ISRO mission, whose completion everyone is looking forward to. Especially after its announcement came close on the heels of Chandrayaan-3’s success. It will be the first space-based Indian mission to study the Sun. The objective of the mission will lie in the observation of solar activities and their effect on space weather in Real Time. The following are some of the objectives of this solar mission, in greater detail.
- To understand the coupling and dynamics of the Solar Atmosphere.
- Understanding the initiation of Coronal Mass Ejection (CME), flares and near-Earth space weather.
- Gaining insights into Coronal Heating and Solar Wind Acceleration.
Launch Date Aditya L1 was successfully launched on the 2nd of September 2023, at 11.50 hrs, from Sriharikota.
ISRO: Upcoming Missions
One can say with firm conviction that ISRO discoveries and achievements, as grand as they might be, are only the beginning of many more to come.
Presenting a look at the various missions that will be launched by ISRO, both this year and later.
Mangalyaan 2
The successor of the original ‘Mangalyaan’, Mangalyaan 2 will be the next mission to The Red Planet. According to reports, the rocket in this mission will consist of a hyperspectral camera and a radar, to learn about the Martian crust.
Interesting Fact: While the first Mangalyaan mission cost around a whopping Rs. 450 crores, Mangalyaan 2 is an orbiter-only mission, so it will cost less.
Proposed Launch Date: It is expected to be launched sometime in 2024.
Gaganyaan 1
This one is set to be ISRO’s first ‘manned’ mission. Previously, Gaganyaan was scheduled to be launched in the year 2022. Unfortunately, this was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Proposed Launch Date: End of 2023 or sometime in 2024.
SPADEX
This one is an Experimental Mission that is being developed by ISRO. It is an acronym for ‘Space Docking Experiment.’ The objective of this spacecraft mission is to mature technologies that are related to things like Docking and Formation Flying, among others.
Fun Fact: This mission will consist of two Mini Satellites. One will be called Chaser and the other, Target.
Proposed Launch Date: It will commence in the third quarter of 2024.
Shukrayaan-1
The Moon, Stars and Sun are not the only places ISRO has its lofty sights set on. This one is going to be a mission that will explore the planet Venus!
Proposed Launch Date: ISRO plans to launch this one in December 2024.
LUPEX
We will never forget Chandrayaan 3, but ISRO is planning yet another Moon mission that will undoubtedly be unforgettable. Known as LUPEX (Lunar Polar Exploration Mission), its objectives include the exploration of Lunar Polar Region Suitability.
At EuroKids we believe that parents must do all they can, to kindle the interest of their children in Space Science. One of the best ways they can do that is by highlighting the achievements of ISRO. Not only will it pique the minds of those budding scientists, it will also engender in them a deep sense of pride for India.
