World Space Week' (abbrv.

WSW) is an annual holiday held from October 4 to October

10. It is observed from 4–10 October in most of the world, in continents
including Europe, Russia and Asia. World Space Week is officially defined as "an
international celebration of science and technology, and their contribution to the
betterment of the human condition."[1]

History

On December 6, 1999, The United Nations General Assembly declared World Space Week
as an annual event celebration to be commemorated between October 4–10. The choice
of dates was based on recognition of two important dates in space history: the
launch of the first human-made Earth satellite, Sputnik 1, on October 4, 1957; and
the signing of the Outer Space Treaty on October 10, 1967.[2]

World Space Week is the largest annual space event in the world.[3]

Annual themes

In 2007, World Space Week was celebrated in 54 countries and in space. A total of
435 events were reported in 244 cities, with attendance of over 377,000 and media
audience of over 26,000,000. Events included rocket launches, school activities,
exhibits, political events, and special events at planetaria around the world.
Under the theme "50 Years in Space", many events of World Space Week 2007
celebrated the 50th anniversary of the space age which began with the launch of
Sputnik I on October 4, 1957. In space, Bigelow Aerospace illuminated its Genesis
spacecraft with the World Space Week logo and beamed photos that week to Earth.[4] [5]

In 2008, the theme for World Space Week was "Exploring the Universe". [6] In 2009,
the theme was "Space for Education". "Mysteries of the Cosmos" was the theme in
2010. In 2012, the central theme was human safety and security through
space,[7] promoting awareness of the roles that space satellites play in
safeguarding the environment and protecting humans through functions such as Earth
observation, navigation, search and rescue operations, and
telecommunication.[8] Commemoration of WSW 2012 included media coverage about the
historic launch of SpaceShipOne, Sputnik and future goals of the human colonization
of worlds beyond Earth.[9] WSW 2012 was celebrated in 65 nations.[10]

Activities and observances

The World Space Week Association is a non-government, non-profit organization which

is supported by national coordinators in over 50 nations. It is led by an all
volunteer Board of Directors including Buzz Aldrin, Bill Nye, Tom Hanks and space
leaders from around the world. Its goals are to educate people around the world
about the benefits that they receive from space, encourage use of space for
sustainable economic development, foster enthusiastic education and interest in
science and cooperation between nations through space outreach and education.[11]

The association provides resources for educators in grade K-12.[12]

The United Nations provides a Calendar of Events from nations celebrating World
Space Week.[13]

ISRO:- The Indian Space Research

Organisation (ISRO, /ˈɪsroʊ/; Sanskrit: भारतीय अंतररक्ष अनु संधान संगठन{{#invoke:
Category handler|main}} Bhāratīya Antarikṣa Anusandhāna Saṅgaṭhana{{#invoke:
Category handler|main}}) is the primary space agency of India.[1] ISRO is
 amongst the largest government space agencies in the world. Its primary
objective is to advance space technology and use its applications for
national benefit.[2]
Established in 1969, ISRO superseded the erstwhile Indian National Committee
for Space Research (INCOSPAR). Headquartered in Bengaluru, ISRO is under the
administrative control of the Department of Space, Government of India. <u/>
Since its establishment, ISRO has achieved numerous milestones. It built
India's first satellite, Aryabhata, which was launched by the Soviet
Union on 19 April in 1975. In 1980, Rohini became the first satellite to be
placed in orbit by an Indian-made launch vehicle, SLV-3. ISRO subsequently
developed two other rockets: the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) for
launching satellites into polar orbits and the Geosynchronous Satellite
Launch Vehicle (GSLV) for placing satellites into geostationary orbits.
These rockets have launched numerous communications satellites and earth
observation satellite. On 22 October in 2008, Chandrayaan-1, India sent its
first mission to the Moon. Over the years, ISRO has conducted a variety of
operations for both Indian and foreign clients. ISRO's satellite launch
capability is mostly provided by indigenous launch vehicles and launch
sites. In 2008, ISRO successfully launched its first lunar
probe, Chandrayaan-1, while future plans include indigenous development of
GSLV,manned space missions, further lunar exploration, mars exploration and
interplanetary probes. ISRO has several field installations as assets, and
cooperates with the international community as a part of several bilateral
and multilateral agreements. 5 November 2013, ISRO launched its Mars Orbiter
Mission, which is currently en route to Mars.
The June 2014 launch of five foreign satellites by the PSLV (Polar Satellite
Launch Vehicle) became an impetus for PM Narendra Modi to proclaim his
ability of showcasing India as a champion of its neighboring countries, and
thus envisioning a developement of a satellite which will be used by its
neighbouring countries, as a gift from India.[3]

Contents

[hide]

 1 Formative years
 2 Goals and objectives
 3 Launch vehicle fleet
o 3.1 Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV)
o 3.2 Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV)
o 3.3 Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)
o 3.4 Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV)
o 3.5 Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark-III (GSLV III)
 4 Earth observation and communication satellites
o 4.1 The INSAT series
o 4.2 The IRS series
o 4.3 Radar Imaging Satellites
o 4.4 Other satellites
 5 Satellite navigation
o 5.1 GAGAN
o 5.2 The IRNSS series
 6 Human spaceflight programme
o 6.1 Technology demonstration
o 6.2 Astronaut training and other facilities
o 6.3 Development of crew vehicle
 7 Planetary sciences and astronomy
 8 Deep Space Exploration
o 8.1 Mars Orbiter Mission
 9 Facilities
o 9.1 Research facilities
o 9.2 Test facilities
o 9.3 Construction and launch facilities
o 9.4 Tracking and control facilities
o 9.5 Human resource development
o 9.6 Commercial wing
 10 Future projects
o 10.1 Future launch vehicles
 10.1.1 GSLV-Mk III
 10.1.2 Reusable Launch Vehicle-Technology Demonstrator (RLV-TD)
o 10.2 Extraterrestrial exploration
 10.2.1 Lunar exploration programme
 10.2.2 Mars exploration
 10.2.3 Venus exploration
 10.2.4 Solar exploration programme
o 10.3 Space science missions
 11 Applications
 12 Global cooperation
 13 Logo
 14 See also
 15 Notes
 16 References
 17 Further reading
 18 External links

Formative years

File:Vikram Sarabhai.jpg

Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, the father of India's Space Programme.

Modern space research in India is most visibly traced to the 1920s, when the
scientist S. K. Mitra conducted a series of experiments leading to the
sounding of theionosphere by application of ground based radio methods
in Calcutta.[4] Later, Indian scientists like C.V. Raman and Meghnad
Saha contributed to scientific principles applicable in space
sciences.[4] However, it was the period after 1945 which saw important
developments being made in coordinated space research in India.[4]Organised
space research in India was spearheaded by two scientists: Vikram Sarabhai—
founder of the Physical Research Laboratory at Ahmedabad—and Homi Bhabha,
who had played a role in the establishment of the Tata Institute of
Fundamental Research in 1945.[4] Initial experiments in space sciences
included the study of cosmic radiation, high altitude and airborne testing
of instruments,<u/> deep underground experimentation at the Kolar mines—one
of the deepest mining sites in the world – and studies of the upper
atmosphere.[5] Studies were carried out at research laboratories,
universities, and independent locations. [5][6]

In 1950, the Department of Atomic Energy was founded with Homi Bhabha as its
secretary.[6] The Department provided funding for space research throughout
India.[7] During this time, tests continued on aspects of meteorology and
the Earth's magnetic field, a topic which was being studied in India since
the establishment of the observatory at Colaba in 1823. In 1954, the Uttar
Pradesh state observatory was established at the foothills of the
Himalayas.[6] The Rangpur Observatory was set up in 1957 at Osmania
University, Hyderabad.[6] Both these facilities enjoyed the technical support
and scientific cooperation of the United States of America.[6] Space research
was further encouraged by the technically inclined Prime Minister of
India, Jawaharlal Nehru.[7] In 1957, the Soviet Union successfully
launched Sputnik and opened up possibilities for the rest of the world to
conduct a space launch.[7] INCOSPAR was found in 1962 with Vikram Sarabhai as
its chairman.
Goals and objectives

The prime objective of ISRO is to develop space technology and its

application to various national tasks.[2] The Indian space programme was
driven by the vision of Dr Vikram Sarabhai, considered the father of Indian
Space Programme.[8] As he said in 1969:

“ There are some who question the relevance of space activities in a

developing nation. To us, there is no ambiguity of purpose. We do not have
the fantasy of competing with the economically advanced nations in the
exploration of the Moon or the planets or manned space-flight. But we are
convinced that if we are to play a meaningful role nationally, and in the
community of nations, we must be second to none in the application of
advanced technologies to the real problems of man and society.[2] ”

As the former Indian President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam said:

“ Many individuals with myopic vision questioned the relevance of space

activities in a newly independent nation, which was finding it difficult to
feed its population. Their vision was clear if Indians were to play
meaningful role in the community of nations, they must be second to none in
the application of advanced technologies to their real-life problems. They
had no intention of using it as a means of displaying our might.[9] ”
India's economic progress has made its space programme more visible and
active as the country aims for greater self-reliance in space
technology. [10] Hennock etc. hold that India also connects space exploration
to national prestige, further stating: "This year India has launched 11
satellites, including nine from other countries—and it became the first
nation to launch 10 satellites on one rocket."[10] ISRO has successfully put
into operation two major satellite systems namely Indian National Satellites
(INSAT) for communication services and Indian Remote Sensing (IRS)
satellites for management of natural resources. ISRO has also developed the
PSLV for launching IRS type of satellites and GSLV for launching INSAT type
of satellites.
On July 2012, the former President, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam said that research
was being done by ISRO and DRDO for developing cost reduction technologies
for access to space.[11]
Launch vehicle fleet

File:Indian carrier rockets.svg

Comparison of Indian carrier rockets. Left to right: SLV, ASLV,PSLV, GSLV, GSLV
Mk.III.

During the 1960s and 1970s, India initiated its own launch vehicle programme
owing to geopolitical and economic considerations. In the 1960s–1970s, the
country successfully developed a sounding rockets programme, and by the
1980s, research had yielded the Satellite Launch Vehicle-3 and the more
advanced Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV), complete with
operational supporting infrastructure. [12] ISRO further applied its energies
to the advancement of launch vehicle technology resulting in the creation of
PSLV and GSLV technologies.
Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV)
{{#invoke:main|main}}

Status: Decommissioned</font color="Grey">

The Satellite Launch Vehicle, usually known by its abbreviation SLV or SLV-3
was a 4-stage solid-propellant light launcher. It was intended to reach a
height of 500 km and carry a payload of 40 kg.[13] Its first launch took
place in 1979 with 2 more in each subsequent year, and the final launch in
1983. Only two of its four test flights were successful.[14]
Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV)
{{#invoke:main|main}}

Status: Decommissioned</font color="Grey">

The Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle, usually known by its abbreviation
ASLV was a 5-stage solid propellant rocket with the capability of placing a
150 kg satellite into LEO. This project was started by the ISRO during the
early 1980s to develop technologies needed for a payload to be placed into a
geostationary orbit. Its design was based on Satellite Launch
Vehicle.[15] The first launch test was held in 1987, and after that 3 others
followed in 1988, 1992 and 1994, out of which only 2 were successful, before
it was decommissioned.[14]
Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)
{{#invoke:main|main}}
Status: Active</font color="Green">
The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, usually known by its abbreviation PSLV,
is an expendable launch system developed to allow India to launch its Indian
Remote Sensing (IRS) satellites into Sun synchronous orbits, a service that
was, until the advent of the PSLV, commercially viable only from Russia.
PSLV can also launch small satellites into geostationary transfer
orbit (GTO). The reliability and versatility of the PSLV is proven by the
fact that it has launched 65 satellites / spacecraft ( 30 Indian and 35
Foreign Satellites) into a variety of orbits so far.[16][17] In April 2008, it
successfully launched 10 satellites at once, breaking a world record held by
Russia.[18]
On 30 June 2014, the PSLV flew its 25th consecutive successful launch
mission,[19] delivering a payload of five foreign satellites into orbit. Its
only failure in 26 flights was its maiden voyage in September 1993,
providing the rocket with a 96 percent success rate.[20]
Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV)
{{#invoke:main|main}}

Status: Active</font color="Green">

The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle, usually known by its
abbreviation GSLV, is an expendable launch system developed to enable India
to launch its INSAT-type satellites into geostationary orbit and to make
India less dependent on foreign rockets. At present, it is ISRO's heaviest
satellite launch vehicle and is capable of putting a total payload of up to
5 tons to Low Earth Orbit. The vehicle is built by India with the cryogenic
engine purchased from Russia while the ISRO develops its own engine
programme.
In a setback for ISRO, the attempt to launch the GSLV, GSLV-F06 carrying
GSAT-5P, failed on 25 December 2010. The initial evaluation implies that
loss of control for the strap-on boosters caused the rocket to veer from its
intended flight path, forcing a programmed detonation. Sixty-four seconds
into the first stage of flight, the rocket began to break up due to the
acute angle of attack. The body housing the 3rd stage, the cryogenic stage,
incurred structural damage, forcing the range safety team to initiate a
programmed detonation of the rocket.[21]
On 5 January 2014, GSLV D5 successfully launched GSAT-14 into intended
orbit. This also marked first successful flight using indigenous cryogenic
engine, making India sixth country in the world to have this technology.
Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark-III (GSLV III)
{{#invoke:main|main}}

Status: Active</font color="Green">

The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark-III is a launch vehicle
currently under development by the Indian Space Research Organisation. It is
intended to launch heavy satellites into geostationary orbit, and will allow
India to become less dependent on foreign rockets for heavy lifting. The
rocket, though the technological successor to the GSLV, however is not
derived from its predecessor.[22]
Earth observation and communication satellites

File:Insat-1B.jpg
INSAT-1B.

India's first satellite, the Aryabhata, was launched by the Soviet Union on
19 April 1975 from Kapustin Yar using a Cosmos-3M launch vehicle. This was
followed by the Rohini seres of experimental satellites which were built and
launched indigenously. At present, ISRO operates a large number of earth
observation satellites.
The INSAT series
{{#invoke:main|main}} INSAT (Indian National Satellite System) is a series
of multipurpose geostationary satellites launched by ISRO to satisfy the
telecommunications, broadcasting, meteorology and search-and-rescue needs of
India. Commissioned in 1983, INSAT is the largest domestic communication
system in the Asia-Pacific Region. It is a joint venture of the Department
of Space, Department of Telecommunications, India Meteorological
Department, All India Radio and Doordarshan. The overall coordination and
management of INSAT system rests with the Secretary-level INSAT Coordination
Committee.
The IRS series
{{#invoke:main|main}} Indian Remote Sensing satellites (IRS) are a series of
earth observation satellites, built, launched and maintained by ISRO. The
IRS series provides remote sensing services to the country. The Indian
Remote Sensing Satellite system is the largest constellation of remote
sensing satellites for civilian use in operation today in the world. All the
satellites are placed in polar Sun-synchronous orbit and provide data in a
variety of spatial, spectral and temporal resolutions to enable several
programmes to be undertaken relevant to national development. The initial
versions are composed of the 1 (A,B, C, D) nomenclature. The later versions
are named based on their area of application including OceanSat, CartoSat,
Resource Sat.
Radar Imaging Satellites
ISRO currently operates two Radar Imaging Satellites. RISAT-1 was launched
from Sriharikota Spaceport on 26 April 2012 on board a PSLV.RISAT-1 carries
a C-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) payload, operating in a multi-
polarisation and multi-resolution mode and can provide images with coarse,
fine and high spatial resolutions.[23] India also operates RISAT-2 which was
launched in 2009 and acquired from Israel at a cost $110 million.[23]
Other satellites
ISRO has also launched a set of experimental geostationary satellites known
as the GSAT series. Kalpana-1, ISRO's first dedicated meteorological
satellite,[24] was launched by the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle on 12
September 2002.[25] The satellite was originally known as MetSat-1.[26] In
February 2003 it was renamed to Kalpana-1 by the Indian Prime Minister Atal
Bihari Vajpayee in memory of Kalpana Chawla – a NASA astronaut of Indian
origin who perished in Space Shuttle Columbia.
ISRO has also successfully launched the Indo-French satellite SARAL on 25
February 2013, 12:31 UTC.SARAL or Satellite with ARgos and ALtiKa is a
cooperative altimetry technology mission. It is being used for monitoring
the oceans surface and sea-levels.AltiKa will measure ocean surface
topography with an accuracy of 8 mm, against 2.5 cm on average using
current-generation altimeters, and with a spatial resolution of 2 km.[27][28]
File:SARAL.jpg
SARAL Satellite

In June 2014, India launched Singapore's first nano satellite (VELOX-I),

Canada's (CAN-X5), AISAT of Germany and French Earth Observation Satellite
SPOT-7 besides its primary payload of 714 kg via the PSLV-C23.[29][30]
Satellite navigation

GAGAN
{{#invoke:main|main}} The Ministry of Civil Aviation has decided to
implement an indigenous Satellite-Based Regional GPS Augmentation System
also known as Space-Based Augmentation System (SBAS) as part of the
Satellite-Based Communications, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS)/Air
Traffic Management (ATM) plan for civil aviation. The Indian SBAS system has
been given an acronym GAGAN – GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation. A national
plan for satellite navigation including implementation of Technology
Demonstration System (TDS) over the Indian air space as a proof of concept
has been prepared jointly by Airports Authority of India (AAI) and ISRO. TDS
was successfully completed during 2007 by installing eight Indian Reference
Stations (INRESs) at eight Indian airports and linked to the Master Control
Centre (MCC) located near Bengaluru.
The first GAGAN navigation payload has been fabricated and it was proposed
to be flown on GSAT-4 during Apr 2010. However, GSAT-4 was not placed in
orbit as GSLV-D3 could not complete the mission. Two more GAGAN payloads
will be subsequently flown, one each on two geostationary satellites, GSAT-8
and GSAT-10. On 12 May 2012, ISRO announced the successful testing of its
indigenous cryogenic engine for 200 seconds for its forthcoming GSLV-D5
flight.[31]
The IRNSS series
{{#invoke:main|main}} IRNSS is an independent regional navigation satellite
system being developed by India. It is designed to provide accurate position
information service to users in India as well as the region extending up to
1500 km from its boundary, which is its primary service area. IRNSS will
provide two types of services, namely, Standard Positioning Service (SPS)
and Restricted Service (RS) and is expected to provide a position accuracy
of better than 20 m in the primary service area.[32] It is an autonomous
regional satellite navigation system being developed by Indian Space
Research Organisation which would be under total control of Indian
government. The requirement of such a navigation system is driven by the
fact that access to Global Navigation Satellite Systems like GPS are not
guaranteed in hostile situations. ISRO plans to launch the constellation of
satellites between 2012 and 2014.
ISRO on 1 July 2013, at 23:41Hrs IST launched from Sriharikota the First
Indian Navigation Satellite the IRNSS-1A. The IRNSS-1A was launched aboard
PSLV-C22. The constellation would be comprising 7 satellites of I-1K bus
each weighing around 1450 Kilograms, with three satellites in
the Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) and 4 in Geosynchronous Earth
Orbit(GSO). The constellation would be completed around 2015.[33]
On 4 April 2014, at 17:14 Hrs IST ISRO has launched IRNSS-1B from
Sriharikota, its second of seven IRNSS series. After 19 mins of launch PSLV-
C24 has successfully injected into its orbit.[34]
Human spaceflight programme
File:ISRO-sre02.jpg

Indian Navy Frogmen recovering the SRE-1

{{#invoke:main|main}} The Indian Space Research Organisation has proposed a

budget of 7px124 billion (US${{#invoke:Math|precision_format|
2,058,400,000/1E9 | 1}} billion) for its human spaceflight
programme. [35] According to the Space Commission which recommended the
budget, an unmanned flight will be launched after 7 years of final
approval.[36] and a manned mission will be launch after 7 years of
funding.[37][38] If realised in the stated time-frame, India will become the
fourth nation, after the USSR, US and China, to successfully carry out
manned missions indigenously.
Technology demonstration
The Space Capsule Recovery Experiment (SCRE or more commonly SRE or SRE-
1)[39] is an experimental Indian spacecraft which was launched using
the PSLV C7 rocket, along with three other satellites. It remained in orbit
for 12 days before re-entering the Earth's atmosphere and splashing down
into the Bay of Bengal.[40] The SRE-1 was designed to demonstrate the
capability to recover an orbiting space capsule, and the technology for
performing experiments in the microgravity conditions of an orbiting
platform. It was also intended to test thermal protection, navigation,
guidance, control, deceleration and flotation systems, as well as study
hypersonic aero-thermodynamics, management of communication blackouts, and
recovery operations. ISRO also plans to launch SRE-2 and SRE-3 in the near
future to test advanced re-entry technology for future manned missions.[41]
Astronaut training and other facilities
ISRO will set up an astronaut training centre in Bengaluru to prepare
personnel for flights on board the crewed vehicle. The centre will use
simulation facilities to train the selected astronauts in rescue and
recovery operations and survival in zero gravity, and will undertake studies
of the radiation environment of space. ISRO will build centrifuges to
prepare astronauts for the acceleration phase of the mission. It also plans
to build a new Launch pad to meet the target of launching a manned space
mission in 7 years of funding clearance. This would be the third launchpad
at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.
Development of crew vehicle
File:GSLV Mk III payload fairing assembly.jpg

GSLV Mk III payload fairing assembly mockup

{{#invoke:main|main}} The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is

working towards a maiden manned Indian space mission vehicle that can carry
three astronauts for seven days in a near earth orbit. The Indian manned
spacecraft temporarily named as Orbital Vehicle intends to be the basis of
indigenous Indian human spaceflight programme. The capsule will be designed
to carry three people, and a planned upgraded version will be equipped with
a rendezvous and docking capability. In its maiden manned mission, ISRO's
largely autonomous 3-ton capsule will orbit the Earth at 400 km in altitude
for up to seven days with a two-person crew on board. The crew vehicle would
launch atop of ISRO's GSLV Mk II, currently under development. The GSLV Mk
II features an indigenously developed cryogenic upper-stage engine.[42] The
first test of the cryogenic engine, held on 15 April 2010, failed as the
 cryogenic phase did not perform as expected and rocket deviated from the
planned trajectory.[43] However the second test of the indigenous cryogenic
engine was successful on 5 January 2014.[44]
Planetary sciences and astronomy

India's space era dawned when the first two-stage sounding rocket was
launched from Thumba in 1963. Even before this, noteworthy contributions
were made by the Indian scientists in the following areas of space science
research:

 Cosmic rays and high energy astronomy using both ground based as well as balloon
borne experiments/studies such as neutron/meson monitors, Geiger Muller particle
detectors/counters etc.
 Ionospheric research using ground based radio propagation techniques such
as ionosonde, VLF/HF/VHF radio probing, a chain of magnetometer stations etc.
 Upper atmospheric research using ground based optical techniques such as Dobson
spectrometers for measurement of total ozone content, air glow photometers etc.
 Indian astronomers have been carrying out major investigations using a number of
ground based optical and radio telescopes with varying sophistication.
With the advent of the Indian space programme, emphasis was laid on
indigenous, self-reliant and state-of-the-art development of technology for
immediate practical applications in the fields of space science research
activities in the country.
There is a national balloon launching facility at Hyderabad jointly
supported by TIFR and ISRO. This facility has been extensively used for
carrying out research in high energy (i.e., X- and gamma ray) astronomy, IR
astronomy, middle atmospheric trace constituents including CFCs & aerosols,
ionisation, electric conductivity and electric fields.
The flux of secondary particles and X-ray and gamma-rays of atmospheric
origin produced by the interaction of the cosmic rays is very low. This low
background, in the presence of which one has to detect the feeble signal
from cosmic sources is a major advantage in conducting hard X-ray
observations from India. The second advantage is that many bright sources
like Cyg X-1, Crab Nebula, Scorpius X-1 and Galactic Centre sources are
observable from Hyderabad due to their favourable declination. With these
considerations, an X-ray astronomy group was formed at TIFR in 1967 and
development of an instrument with an orientable X-ray telescope for hard X-
ray observations was undertaken. The first balloon flight with the new
instrument was made on 28 April 1968 in which observations of Scorpius X-1
were successfully carried out. In a succession of balloon flights made with
this instrument between 1968 and 1974 a number of binary X-ray sources
including Scorpius X-1, Cyg X-1, Her X-1 etc. and thediffuse cosmic X-ray
background were studied. Many new and astrophysically important results were
obtained from these observations.[45]
One of most important achievements of ISRO in this field was the discovery
of three species of bacteria in the upper stratosphere at an altitude of
between 20–40 km. The bacteria, highly resistant to ultra-violet radiation,
are not found elsewhere on Earth, leading to speculation on whether they are
extraterrestrial in origin. These three bacteria can be considered to
be extremophiles. Until then, the upper stratosphere was believed to be
inhospitable because of the high doses of ultra-violet radiation. The
bacteria were named as Bacillus isronensis in recognition of ISRO's
contribution in the balloon experiments, which led to its discovery,
Bacillus aryabhata after India's celebrated ancient astronomer Aryabhata and
Janibacter Hoylei after the distinguished astrophysicist Fred Hoyle.[46]
Deep Space Exploration

Mars Orbiter Mission

The Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), informally known as 'Mangalyann' was
launched into Earth orbit on 5 November 2013 by the Indian Space Research
Organisation (ISRO) and is expected to enter Mars orbit on 24 September
2014.
The spacecraft had a lift-off mass of 1,350 kilograms and 15 kgs of
scientific instruments as payload.
MOM is planned to be put into a highly elliptical orbit around Mars with a
planned periapsis of 365 km (227 mi) and apoapsis of 80,000 km (50,000 mi).
Facilities

ISRO's headquarters is located at Antariksh Bhavan in Bengaluru.

Research facilities

Facility Location Description

The largest ISRO base is

also the main technical
centre and the venue of
development of the SLV-
3, ASLV,
Vikram
and PSLV series.[47] The base
Sarabhai
Thiruvananthapuram supports India's Thumba
Space
Equatorial Rocket Launching
Centre
Station and the Rohini
Sounding
Rocket programme.[47] This
facility is also developing
the GSLV series.[47]

The LPSC handles design,

development, testing and
implementation of liquid
propulsion control packages,
liquid stages and liquid
Liquid
engines for launch vehicles
Propulsio Thiruvananthapuram andBe
and satellites.[47] The
n Systems ngaluru
testing of these systems is
Centre
largely conducted
at IPRC at Mahendragiri.[47] T
he LPSC, Begaluru also
produces precision
transducers.[48]
 Solar planetary physics,
infrared astronomy, geo-
cosmo physics, plasma
physics, astrophysics, archa
Physical
eology, and hydrology are
Research
Ahmedabad some of the branches of
Laborator
study at this
y
institute.[47] An observatory
at Udaipur also falls under
the control of this
institution. [47]

Research & Development in

the field of semiconductor
Semi-
technology, micro-
Conductor
Chandigarh electromechanical systems
Laborator
and process technologies
y
relating to semiconductor
processing.

National
Atmospher The NARL carries out
ic fundamental and applied
Chittoor
Research research in Atmospheric and
Laborator Space Sciences.
y

The SAC deals with the

various aspects of practical
use of space
technology. [47] Among the
fields of research at the
Space SAC are geodesy,satellite
Applicati based
Ahmedabad
ons telecommunications, surveyin
Centre g, remote
sensing, meteorology,
environment monitoring
etc. [47] The SEC additionally
operates the Delhi Earth
Station. [49]

North- Providing developmental

Eastern support to North East by
Space undertaking specific
Shillong
Applicati application projects using
ons remote sensing, GIS,
Centre satellite communication and
conducting space science
 research.

Test facilities

Facility Location Description

Formerly called LPSC-Mahendragiri,

was declared a separate centre. It
ISRO
handles testing and assembly of
Propulsion Mahendragiri
liquid propulsion control packages,
Complex
liquid engines and stages for launch
vehicles and satellites.[47]

Construction and launch facilities

Facility Location Description

The venue of eight successful

spacecraft projects is also one of
the main satellite technology bases
of ISRO. The facility serves as a
ISRO venue for implementing indigenous
Satellite Bengaluru spacecraft in India.[47] The
Centre satellites Ayrabhata, Bhaskara, APP
LE, and IRS-1A were constructed at
this site, and the IRS and INSAT
satellite series are presently
under development here.[48]

The Unit of ISRO responsible for

the development of attitude sensors
Laborator for all satellites. The high
y for precision optics for all cameras
Electro- Bengaluru and payloads in all ISRO satellites
Optics including Chandrayaan-1 are
Systems developed at this laboratory.
Located at Peenya Industrial
Estate, Bangalore.

With multiple sub-sites the

Sriharikota island facility acts as
a launching site for India's
Satish [47]
satellites. The Sriharikota
Dhawan
Sriharikota facility is also the main launch
Space
base for India's sounding
Centre
rockets.[48] The centre is also home
to India's largest Solid Propellant
Space Booster Plant (SPROB) and
houses the Static Test and
 Evaluation Complex (STEX).[48]

Thumba
Equatoria
Thiruvananthapur TERLS is used to launch sounding
l Rocket
am rockets.
Launching
Station

Tracking and control facilities

Facility Location Description

This network receives, processes,

archives and distributes the
Indian Deep spacecraft health data and
Space Network Bengaluru payload data in real time. It can
(IDSN) track and monitor satellites up
to very large distances, even
beyond the Moon.

The NRSC applies remote sensing

to manage natural resources and
National study aerial surveying.[47] With
Remote centres
Hyderabad
Sensing at Balanagar andShadnagar it also
Centre has training facilities
at Dehradun in form of the Indian
Institute of Remote Sensing.[47]

Software development, ground

operations, Tracking Telemetry
Indian Space Bangalore and Command (TTC), and support is
Research (headquarters) provided by this
Organisation and a number of institution. [47]ISTRAC has
Telemetry, ground stations Tracking stations throughout the
Tracking and throughout country and all over the world
Command India and in Port Louis (Mauritius),
Network World.[49] Bearslake
(Russia), Biak(Indonesia) and
Brunei.

Geostationary satellite orbit

raising, payload testing, and in-
Master
orbit operations are performed at
Control Bhopal; Hassan
this facility.[50] The MCF has
Facility
earth stations and Satellite
Control Centre (SCC) for
controlling satellites. [50] A
 second MCF-like facility named
'MCF-B' is being constructed at
Bhopal.[50]

Human resource development

Facility Location Description

Indian Institute of Remote

Sensing (IIRS), an independent
unit of Indian Space Research
Organisation (ISRO),
Department of Space, Govt. of
India is a premier training
and educational institute set
Indian
up for developing trained
Institute of
Dehradun professionals (P.G and PhD
Remote
level) in the field of Remote
Sensing(IIRS)
Sensing, Geoinformatics and
GPS Technology for Natural
Resources, Environmental and
Disaster Management. IIRS is
also executing many R&D
projects on Remote Sensing and
GIS for societal applications.

The institute offers

undergraduate and graduate
Indian courses in Aerospace
Institute of engineering, Avionics and
Space Science Physical Sciences. The
Thiruvananthapuram
and students of the first two
Technology batches of IIST have been
(IIST) inducted into
different ISRO centres as of
September 2012.

The centre works for

education, research, and
training, mainly in
conjunction with
Development the INSAT programme.[47] The
and main activities carried out at
Educational Ahmedabad DECU include GRAMSAT
Communication and EDUSAT projects. [48] The
Unit Training and Development
Communication Channel (TDCC)
also falls under the
operational control of the
DECU.[49]
 Commercial wing

Facility Location Description

Antrix Corporation Bengaluru The marketing agency und

Other facilities include:

 Balasore Rocket Launching Station (BRLS) – Odisha

 INSAT Master Control Facility (IMCF) – Bhopal
 ISRO Inertial Systems Unit (IISU) – Thiruvananthapuram
 Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS)
 Aerospace Command of India (ACI)
 Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR)
 Inter University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA)
 Indian Department of Space (IDS)
 Indian Space Science Data Centre (ISSDC)
 Spacecraft Control Centre (SCC)
 Regional Remote Sensing Service Centres (RRSSC)
 Development and Educational Communication Unit (DECU)
Future projects

File:GSLV MkIII.JPG

A model of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle III.

File:AvatarTD.JPG

A model of the RLV-TD

ISRO plans to launch a number of new-generation Earth Observation Satellites

in the near future. It will also undertake the development of new launch
vehicles and spacecraft. ISRO has stated that it will send unmanned missions
to Mars and Near-Earth Objects. ISRO has planned 58 missions during 2012–17;
33 satellites missions in next two years and 25 launch vehicles missions
thereafter, costing 7px200 billion (US${{#invoke:Math|precision_format|
3,320,000,000/1E9 | 0}} billion).[51]
Forthcoming Satellites

Satellite
Details
Name

ASTROSAT is a first dedicated Indian Astronomy

satellite mission, which will enable multi-wavelength
observations of the celestial bodies and cosmic
sources in X-ray and UV spectral bands
ASTROSAT
simultaneously. The scientific payloads cover the
Visible (3500–6000 Å…), UV (1300–3000 Å…), soft and
hard X-ray regimes (0.5–8 keV; 3–80 keV). The
uniqueness of ASTROSAT lies in its wide spectral
coverage extending over visible, UV, soft and hard X-
 ray regions.

The primary goal of GSAT-6/INSAT-4E, which is a

Multimedia broadcast satellite, is to cater to the
consumer requirements of providing entertainment and
GSAT-6 / information services to vehicles through Digital
INSAT-4E Multimedia consoles and to the Multimedia mobile
Phones. The satellite carries a 5 spot beam BSS and 5
spot beam MSS. It will be positioned at 83° East
longitude with a mission life of 12 years.

It is a multi-band satellite carrying payloads in

GSAT- UHF, S-band, C-band and Ku band. The satellite weighs
7/INSAT-4F 2330 kg with a payload power of 2000W and mission
life of 9 years.

GSAT-9 will carry 6 C band and

24 Ku band transponders with India coverage beam. The
satellite is planned to be launched during 2011–12
GSAT-9
with a mission life of 12 years and positioned at 48°
East longitude. This I-2K satellite has a liftoff
mass of 2330 kg and payload power of 2300 W.

GSAT-11 is based on I-4K bus which is under advanced

stage of development. The spacecraft can generate 10–
12 KW of power and can support payload power of 8KW.
The payload configuration is on-going. It consists of
16 spot beams covering entire country including
GSAT-11 Andaman & Nicobar islands. The communication link to
the user-end terminals operate in Ku-band while the
communication link to the hubs operate in Ka-band.
The payload is configured to be operated as a high
data throughput satellite, to be realised in orbit in
2013 time frame.

GSAT-15 is an Indian communication satellite similar

to GSAT-10 to augment the capacity of transponders to
GSAT-15 provided more bandwidth for Direct-to-Home television
and VSAT services. The satellite will be the 10th one
in the series of GSAT satellites.

GSAT-16 will be the 11th Indian communication

satellite similar to GSAT-15 meant to increase the
GSAT-16 number of transponders that in turn enhance the
satellite based telecommunication, television, VSAT
services in India.
 Nasa-Isro Synthetic Aperture Radar (Nisar) is a joint
project between NASA and ISRO to co-develop and
launch a dual frequency synthetic aperture
NISAR
radarsatellite to be used for remote sensing. It is
notable for being the first dual band radar
imaging satellite.

Future launch vehicles

GSLV-Mk III
GSLV-Mk III is envisaged to launch four tonne satellite into geosynchronous
transfer orbit. GSLV-Mk III is a three-stage vehicle with a 110 tonne core
liquid propellant stage (L-110) and a strap-on stage with two solid
propellant motors, each with 200 tonne propellant (S-200). The upper stage
will be cryogenic with a propellant loading of 25 tonne (C-25). GSLV Mk-III
will have a lift-off weight of about 626 tonne and will be 43.43 m tall. The
payload fairing will have a diameter of 5-metre and a payload volume of 100
cubic metre. GSLV Mk III is planned to be launched in April, 2014. It will
weigh 640 tonnes at the time of lift-off, which will make it the heaviest
rocket ever to be built in India.
Reusable Launch Vehicle-Technology Demonstrator (RLV-TD)
As a first step towards realising a Two Stage To Orbit (TSTO) fully re-
usable launch vehicle, a series of technology demonstration missions have
been conceived. For this purpose a Winged Reusable Launch Vehicle technology
Demonstrator (RLV-TD) has been configured. The RLV-TD will act as a flying
test bed to evaluate various technologies viz., hypersonic flight,
autonomous landing, powered cruise flight and hypersonic flight using air-
breathing propulsion. First in the series of demonstration trials is the
hypersonic flight experiment (HEX).
Extraterrestrial exploration
India's first mission beyond Earth's orbit was Chandrayaan-1. ISRO plans to
follow up Chandrayaan-2 with unmanned missions to Mars, Venus and Near-Earth
objects such as asteroids and comets.
Lunar exploration programme

 Chandrayaan-1 was India's first mission to the Moon. The unmanned lunar exploration
mission included a lunar orbiter and an impactor called the Moon Impact Probe.
India launched the spacecraft using a modified version of the PSLV on 22 October
2008 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. The vehicle was successfully
inserted into lunar orbit on 8 November 2008. It carried high-resolution remote
sensing equipment for visible, near infrared, and soft and hard X-ray frequencies.
During its 312 days operational period (2 years planned), it surveyed the lunar
surface to produce a complete map of its chemical characteristics and 3-dimensional
topography. The polar regions were of special interest, as they proved contain ice.
The lunar mission carried five ISRO instruments and six pinstruments from other
international space agencies including NASA, ESA, and the Bulgarian Aerospace
Agency, which were carried free of cost. The Chandrayaan-1 became the first lunar
mission to discover existence of water on the Moon.[52]
 Chandrayaan-2 (Sanskrit: चंद्रयान-२) will be India's second unmanned mission to the
Moon will include an orbiter and lander-rover module. Chandrayaan-2 will be
launched on India's Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-MkII) around 2016
- 2017 timeframe.[53] The science goals of the mission are to further improve the
understanding of the origin and evolution of the Moon.
Mars exploration
{{ safesubst:#invoke:Unsubst||$N=Expand section |date=__DATE__ |$B=
{{#invoke:Message box|ambox}} }} {{#invoke:main|main}} The Indian Space
Research Organisation launched its first Mars orbiter, called Mars Orbiter
Mission, or Mangalyaan, on 5 November 2013.[54][55][56] Mangalyaan carries a 15-
kilogram suite of five science instruments to study the Martian upper
atmosphere, surface features and mineralogy. It is India's first
interplanetary mission and, if successful, ISRO would become the first Asian
space agency to reach Mars. The spacecraft crossed its half-way mark on 9
April 2014.[57]
ISRO monitors the spacecraft using the IDSN (Indian Deep Space Network).[58]
Venus exploration
ISRO is planning a mission to Venus, by May 2015 to study its atmosphere.
The probe will reach Venus by September 2015 and would carry at least five
instruments.[59]
Solar exploration programme
{{#invoke:main|main}} ISRO plans to carry out a mission to the Sun by the
year 2015-16. The probe is named as Aditya-1 and will weigh about
400 kg.[60] It is the First Indian space based Solar Coronagraph to study
solar Corona in visible and near IR bands. Launch of the Aditya mission was
planned during the high solar activity period in 2012 but was postponed to
2015–2016 due to the extensive work involved in the fabrication and other
technical aspects . The main objectives is to study the Coronal Mass
Ejection (CME) and consequently the crucial physical parameters for space
weather such as the coronal magnetic field structures, evolution of the
coronal magnetic field etc. This will provide completely new information on
the velocity fields and their variability in the inner corona having an
important bearing on the unsolved problem of heating of the corona would be
obtained.
Space science missions
Space Capsule Recovery Experiment II The main objective of SRE II is to
realise a fully recoverable capsule and provide a platform to conduct
microgravity experiments on Micro-biology, Agriculture, Powder Metallurgy,
etc. SRE-2 is proposed to be launched on board PSLV.
Applications

India uses its satellites communication network – one of the largest in the
world – for applications such as land management, water resources
management, natural disaster forecasting, radio networking, weather
forecasting, meteorological imaging and computer communication. [61] Business,
administrative services, and schemes such as the National Informatics
Centre (NICNET) are direct beneficiaries of applied satellite
technology.[62] Dinshaw Mistry—on the subject of practical applications of
the Indian space programme—writes:
The INSAT-2 satellites also provide telephone links to remote areas; data
transmission for organisations such as the National Stock Exchange; mobile
satellite service communications for private operators, railways, and road
transport; and broadcast satellite services, used by India's state-owned
television agency as well as commercial television channels.
India's EDUSAT (Educational Satellite), launched aboard the GSLV in 2004,
was intended for adult literacy and distance learning applications in rural
areas. It augmented and would eventually replace such capabilities already
provided by INSAT-3B.
The IRS satellites have found applications with the Indian Natural Resource
Management programme, with regional Remote Sensing Service Centres in five
Indian cities, and with Remote Sensing Application Centres in twenty Indian
states that use IRS images for economic development applications. These
include environmental monitoring, analysing soil erosion and the impact of
soil conservation measures, forestry management, determining land cover for
wildlife sanctuaries, delineating groundwater potential zones, flood
inundation mapping, drought monitoring, estimating crop acreage and deriving
agricultural production estimates, fisheries monitoring, mining and
geological applications such as surveying metal and mineral deposits, and
urban planning.
India's satellites and satellite launch vehicles have had military spin-
offs. While India's 93–124-mile (150–250 km) range Prithvi missile is not
derived from the Indian space programme, the intermediate range Agni
missile is drawn from the Indian space programme's SLV-3. In its early
years, when headed by Vikram Sarabhai and Satish Dhawan, ISRO opposed
military applications for its dual-use projects such as the SLV-3.
Eventually, however, the Defence Research and Development
Organisation(DRDO)–based missile programme borrowed human resources and
technology from ISRO. Missile scientist Dr APJ Abdul Kalam (elected
president of India in 2002), who had headed the SLV-3 project at ISRO, moved
to DRDO to direct India's missile programme. About a dozen scientists
accompanied Kalam from ISRO to DRDO, where he designed the Agni missile
using the SLV-3's solidfuel first stage and a liquid-fuel (Prithvi-missile-
derived) second stage. The IRS and INSAT satellites were primarily intended
and used for civilian-economic applications, but they also offered military
spin-offs. In 1996 New Delhi's Ministry of Defence temporarily blocked the
use of IRS-1C by India's environmental and agricultural ministries in order
to monitor ballistic missiles near India's borders. In 1997 the Indian air
force's "Airpower Doctrine" aspired to use space assets for surveillance and
battle management.[63]
Institutions like the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) and
the Indian Institute of Technology use satellites for scholarly
applications. [64] Between 1975 and 1976, India conducted its largest
sociological programme using space technology, reaching 2400 villages
through video programming in local languages aimed at educational
development via ATS-6 technology developed by NASA.[65] This experiment—
named Satellite Instructional Television Experiment (SITE)—conducted large
scale video broadcasts resulting in significant improvement in rural
education.[65]
ISRO has applied its technology to "telemedicine", directly connecting
patients in rural areas to medical professionals in urban locations via
satellites.[64] Since high-quality healthcare is not universally available in
some of the remote areas of India, the patients in remote areas are
diagnosed and analysed by doctors in urban centres in real time via video
conferencing.[64] The patient is then advised medicine and treatment.[64] The
patient is then treated by the staff at one of the 'super-specialty
hospitals' under instructions from the doctor.[64] Mobile telemedicine vans
 are also deployed to visit locations in far-flung areas and provide
diagnosis and support to patients.[64]
ISRO has also helped implement India's Biodiversity Information System,
completed in October 2002.[66] Nirupa Sen details the programme: "Based on
intensive field sampling and mapping using satellite remote sensing and
geospatial modelling tools, maps have been made of vegetation cover on a 1 :
250,000 scale. This has been put together in a web-enabled database which
links gene-level information of plant species with spatial information in a
BIOSPEC database of the ecological hot spot regions, namely northeastern
India, Western Ghats, Western Himalayas and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
This has been made possible with collaboration between the Department of
Biotechnology and ISRO."[66]
The Indian IRS-P5 (CARTOSAT-1) was equipped with high-resolution
panchromatic equipment to enable it for cartographic purposes.[8] IRS-P5
(CARTOSAT-1) was followed by a more advanced model named IRS-P6 developed
also for agricultural applications.[8] The CARTOSAT-2 project, equipped with
single panchromatic camera which supported scene-specific on-spot images,
succeed the CARTOSAT-1 project.[67]
Global cooperation

ISRO has had the benefit of International cooperation since inception.

 Establishment of TERLS, conduct of SITE & STEP, launches of Aryabhata, Bhaskara,

APPLE, IRS-IA and IRS-IB/ satellites, manned space mission, etc. involved
international cooperation.
 ISRO operates LUT/MCC under the international COSPAS/SARSAT Programme for Search
and Rescue.
 India has established a Centre for Space Science and Technology Education in Asia
and the Pacific (CSSTE-AP) that is sponsored by the United Nations.
 India hosted the Second UN-ESCAP Ministerial Conference on Space Applications for
Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific in November 1999.
 India is a member of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer
Space, Cospas-Sarsat, International Astronautical Federation, Committee on Space
Research (COSPAR), Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination
Committee (IADC), International Space University, and the Committee on Earth
Observation Satellite (CEOS).[68]
 Chandrayaan-1 carried scientific payloads from NASA, ESA and the Bulgarian Space
Agency.
 The Russian Space Agency is cooperating with India in developing the rover
for Chandrayaan-2 and also in the Indian manned mission.
 The United States on 24 January 2011, removed several Indian government agencies,
including ISRO, from the so-called Entity List, in an effort to drive hi-tech trade
and forge closer strategic ties with India.[69]
ISRO and the Department of Space have signed formal Memorandum of
Understanding agreements with a number of foreign political entities,
including:-

 23x15px Australia  23x15px Italy

 23x15px Brazil  23x15px Japan
 23x15px People's Republic of 23x15px Kazakhstan
China  23x15px Netherlands
  23x15px Canada
 23x15px Egypt
 23x15px European Union
 23x15px France
 23x15px Germany
 23x15px Hungary
 23x15px Israel
 23x15px Norway
 23x15px Russia
 23x15px Sweden
 23x15px Ukraine
 23x15px United Kingdom
 23x15px United States

India carries out joint operations with foreign space agencies, such as the
Indo-French Megha-Tropiques Mission.[68] On 25 June 2002 India and the
European Union agreed to bilateral cooperation in the field of science and
technology.[70] A joint EU-India group of scholars was formed on 23 November
2001 to further promote joint research and development.[70] India holds
observer status at CERN while a joint India-EU Software Education and
Development Centre is due at Bengaluru.[70] In the 39th Scientific Assembly
of Committee on Space Research held in Mysore, the Chairman of ISRO called
upon international synergy in space missions in view of their prohibitive
cost. He also disclosed that his organisation is grearing up to meet the
growing demand of service providers, security agencies, etc. in a cost
effective manner.[71]
Logo

File:Indian Space Research Organisation Logo.svg

300px

ISRO's current orange and blue logo was adopted in 2002. [72] The blue boxes form
solar arrays, providing energy to a satellite depicted by a part of the orange
chevron. The chevron, pointing upwards, also signifies a launch vehicle - exploring
the new heights of space.

The logo also renders two 'words' spelling "ISRO", on either side of the
chevron: the English letters "ISRO", in the 'Prakrta' font (on the right),
are balanced the transliterated depiction of the same 'word' in the
Devanagari script.
The latest issue of 'Space India' (journal of the organisation) at the time
of adoption, described the chevron as a visual representation of ISRO's
upward mobility, symbolising the organisation's vanguard actions in breaking
barriers both of gravity, and mindsets. It goes on to say that the vibrant,
dynamic and energetic logo - full of vitality, depicts the in-space
ambitions and aspirations of the organisation.