ISRO

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO Template:IPAc-en)Template:Efn is India's national space agency, headquartered in Bengaluru, Karnataka. It serves as the principal research and development arm of the Department of Space (DoS), overseen by the Prime Minister of India, with the Chairman of ISRO also serving as the chief executive of the DoS. It is primarily responsible for space-based operations, space exploration, international space cooperation and the development of related technologies.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The agency maintains a constellation of imaging, communications and remote sensing satellites. It operates the GAGAN and IRNSS satellite navigation systems. It has sent three missions to the Moon and one mission to Mars.

Formerly known as the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR), ISRO was set up in 1962 by the Government of India on the recommendation of scientist Vikram Sarabhai. It was renamed as ISRO in 1969 and was subsumed into the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The establishment of ISRO institutionalised space research activities in India.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn In 1972, the Government set up a Space Commission and the DoS, bringing ISRO under its purview. It has since then been managed by the DoS, which also governs various other institutions in the domain of astronomy and space technology.<ref name="DOSHQ">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

ISRO built India's first satellite Aryabhata which was launched by the Soviet space agency Interkosmos in 1975.<ref name="Aryabhatta">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 1980, it launched the satellite RS-1 on board the indigenously built launch vehicle SLV-3, making India the seventh country to undertake orbital launches. It has subsequently developed various small-lift and medium-lift launch vehicles, enabling the agency to launch various satellites and deep space missions. It is one of the six government space agencies in the world that possess full launch capabilities with the ability to deploy cryogenic engines, launch extraterrestrial missions and artificial satellites.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>Template:SfnTemplate:Efn It is also the only one of the four governmental space agencies to have demonstrated unmanned soft landing capabilities.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>Template:Efn

ISRO's programmes have played a significant role in socio-economic development. It has supported both civilian and military domains in various aspects such as disaster management, telemedicine, navigation and reconnaissance. ISRO's spin-off technologies have also aided in new innovations in engineering and other allied domains.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

History

Formative years

Modern space research in India can be traced to the 1920s, when scientist S. K. Mitra conducted a series of experiments sounding the ionosphere through ground-based radio in Kolkata.Template:Sfn Later, Indian scientists like C. V. Raman and Meghnad Saha contributed to scientific principles applicable in space sciences.Template:Sfn After 1945, important developments were made in coordinated space research in IndiaTemplate:Sfn by two scientists: Vikram Sarabhai, founder of the Physical Research Laboratory at Ahmedabad, and Homi Bhabha, who established the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in 1945.Template:Sfn Initial experiments in space sciences included the study of cosmic radiation, high-altitude and airborne testing, deep underground experimentation at the Kolar mines—one of the deepest mining sites in the world—and studies of the upper atmosphere.Template:Sfn These studies were done at research laboratories, universities, and independent locations.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn

In 1950, the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) was founded with Bhabha as its secretary.Template:Sfn It provided funding for space research throughout India.Template:Sfn During this time, tests continued on aspects of meteorology and the Earth's magnetic field, a topic that had been studied in India since the establishment of the Colaba Observatory in 1823. In 1954, the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES) was established in the foothills of the Himalayas.Template:Sfn The Rangpur Observatory was set up in 1957 at Osmania University, Hyderabad. Space research was further encouraged by the government of India.Template:Sfn In 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1 and opened up possibilities for the rest of the world to conduct a space launch.Template:Sfn

INCOSPAR was set up in 1962 by the Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on the suggestion of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai.Template:Sfn Initially there was no dedicated ministry for the space programme and all activities of INCOSPAR relating to space technology continued to function within the DAE.<ref name="DAE">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>Template:Sfn IOFS officers were drawn from the Indian Ordnance Factories to harness their knowledge of propellants and advanced light materials used to build rockets.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> H. G. S. Murthy, an IOFS officer, was appointed the first director of the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> where sounding rockets were fired, marking the start of upper atmospheric research in India.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> An indigenous series of sounding rockets named Rohini was subsequently developed and started undergoing launches from 1967 onwards.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Waman Dattatreya Patwardhan, another IOFS officer, developed the propellant for the rockets.

1970's and 1980's

Under the government of Indira Gandhi, INCOSPAR was superseded by ISRO. Later in 1972, a space commission and Department of Space (DoS) were set up to oversee space technology development in India specifically. ISRO was brought under DoS, institutionalising space research in India and forging the Indian space programme into its existing form.Template:Sfn<ref name="DOSHQ" /> India joined the Soviet Interkosmos programme for space cooperation<ref name="Sheehan">Template:Cite book</ref> and got its first satellite Aryabhata in orbit through a Soviet rocket.<ref name="Aryabhatta" />

Efforts to develop an orbital launch vehicle began after mastering sounding rocket technology. The concept was to develop a launcher capable of providing sufficient velocity for a mass of Template:Cvt to enter low Earth orbit. It took 7 years for ISRO to develop Satellite Launch Vehicle capable of putting Template:Cvt into a Template:Convert orbit. An SLV Launch Pad, ground stations, tracking networks, radars and other communications were set up for a launch campaign. The SLV's first launch in 1979 carried a Rohini technology payload but could not inject the satellite into its desired orbit. It was followed by a successful launch in 1980 carrying a Rohini Series-I satellite, making India the seventh country to reach Earth's orbit after the USSR, the US, France, the UK, China and Japan. RS-1 was the third Indian satellite to reach orbit as Bhaskara had been launched from the USSR in 1979. Efforts to develop a medium-lift launch vehicle capable of putting Template:Convert class spacecrafts into Template:Convert Sun-synchronous orbit had already begun in 1978.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> They would later lead to the development of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).<ref name="SLVFlipbook">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The SLV-3 later had two more launches before discontinuation in 1983.<ref name=slv>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> ISRO's Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) was set up in 1985 and started working on a more powerful engine, Vikas, based upon the French Viking.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Two years later, facilities to test liquid-fuelled rocket engines were established and development and testing of various rocket engines thrusters began.<ref name="lpsctimeline">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

At the same time, another solid-fuelled rocket, the Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV), whose design was based upon SLV-3 was being developed, with technologies to launch satellites into geostationary orbit (GTO). The ASLV had limited success and multiple launch failures; it was soon discontinued.<ref name=ITASLV>Template:Cite news</ref> Alongside these developments, communication satellite technologies for the Indian National Satellite System<ref name="isro-comsats">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and the Indian Remote Sensing Programme for earth observation satellites<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> were developed and launches from overseas were initiated. The number of satellites eventually grew and the systems were established as among the largest satellite constellations in the world, with multi-band communication, radar imaging, optical imaging and meteorological satellites.<ref name="IRSSaga">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

1990s

The arrival of the PSLV in 1990s was a major boost for the Indian space programme. With the exception of its first flight in 1994 and two partial failures later, the PSLV had a streak of more than 50 successful flights. The PSLV enabled India to launch all of its low Earth orbit satellites, small payloads to GTO and hundreds of foreign satellites.<ref name="gsp-pslv-1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Along with the PSLV flights, development of a new rocket, a Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) was going on. India tried to obtain upper-stage cryogenic engines from Russia's Glavkosmos but was blocked by the US from doing so. As a result, KVD-1 engines were imported from Russia under a new agreement which had limited success<ref name=flGSLVQuest>Template:Cite news</ref> and a project to develop indigenous cryogenic technology was launched in 1994, taking two decades to reach fulfillment.<ref name=GSLVGopalRaj>Template:Cite news</ref> A new agreement was signed with Russia for seven KVD-1 cryogenic stages and a ground mock-up stage with no technology transfer, instead of five cryogenic stages along with the technology and design in the earlier agreement.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> These engines were used for the initial flights and were named GSLV Mk.1.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> ISRO was under US government sanctions between 6 May 1992 to 6 May 1994.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> After the United States refused to help India with Global Positioning System (GPS) technology during the Kargil war, ISRO was prompted to develop its own satellite navigation system IRNSS (now NaVIC i.e. Navigation with Indian Constellation) which it is now expanding further.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

21st century

In 2003, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee urged scientists to develop technologies to land humans on the Moon<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and programmes for lunar, planetary and crewed missions were started. ISRO launched Chandrayaan-1 aboard PSLV in 2008, purportedly the first probe to verify the presence of water on the Moon.<ref name="THMoon">Template:Cite news</ref>

ISRO launched the Mars Orbiter Mission (or Mangalyaan) aboard a PSLV in 2013, which later became the first Asian spacecraft to enter Martian orbit, making India the first country to succeed at this on its first attempt.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Subsequently, the cryogenic upper stage for GSLV rocket became operational, making India the sixth country to have full launch capabilities.<ref name="Cryo14">Template:Cite news</ref> A new heavier-lift launcher LVM3 was introduced in 2014 for heavier satellites and future human space missions.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

File:Chandrayaan-3 – Image of Vikram lander on lunar surface taken by Pragyan rover navcam at 1104 IST, 30 August 2023 from 15 meters away (without text).webp

Chandrayaan-3 Lander on the Moon surface imaged by rover Pragyan 15 meters away

On 23 August 2023, India achieved its first soft landing on an extraterrestrial body and became the first nation to successfully land a spacecraft near the lunar south pole and fourth nation to successfully land a spacecraft on the Moon with ISRO's Chandrayaan-3, the third Moon mission.<ref name="guardian-20230823">Template:Cite news</ref> Indian moon mission, Chandrayaan-3 (lit. "Mooncraft"), saw the successful soft landing of its Vikram lander at 6.04 pm IST (12:34 pm GMT) near the little-explored southern pole of the Moon in a world's first for any space programme.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

India then successfully launched its first solar probe, the Aditya-L1, aboard a PSLV on 2 September 2023.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

On 30 December 2024, ISRO successfully launched the SpaDeX mission, pioneering spacecraft rendezvous, docking, and undocking using two small satellites.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On 16 January 2025, the ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network's Mission Operations Complex verified that the docking process was successful. India became the 4th country — after USA, Russia and China — to achieve successful Space Docking.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> ISRO also successfully managed to control two satellites as a single entity after docking.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Agency logo

ISRO has an official logo since 2002. It consists of an orange arrow shooting upwards attached with two blue coloured satellite panels with the name of ISRO written in two sets of text, orange-coloured Devanagari on the left and blue-coloured English in the Prakrta typeface on the right.<ref name="SpaceIndia_Q2_2002">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="logo">Template:Cite news</ref>

Goals and objectives

File:Vikram Sarabhai.jpg

Vikram Sarabhai, first chairperson of INCOSPAR, ISRO's predecessor organization

As the national space agency of India, ISRO's purpose is the pursuit of all space-based applications such as research, reconnaissance, and communications. It undertakes the design and development of space rockets and satellites, and undertakes explores upper atmosphere and deep space exploration missions. ISRO has also incubated technologies in India's private space sector, boosting its growth.<ref name="isro_aboutus">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>Template:Sfn

On the topic of the importance of a space programme to India as a developing nation, Vikram Sarabhai as INCOSPAR chairman said in 1969:Template:Sfn<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="Sarabhai_compilation">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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, which we find in our country. And we should note that the application of sophisticated technologies and methods of analysis to our problems is not to be confused with embarking on grandiose schemes, whose primary impact is for show rather than for progress measured in hard economic and social terms.{{#if:|{{#if:|}}

— {{#if:|, in }}Template:Comma separated entries

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The former president of India and chairman of DRDO, A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, said:<ref name=apj_autobiography>Template:Cite book</ref>

Very 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. But neither Prime Minister Nehru nor Prof. Sarabhai had any ambiguity of purpose. Their vision was very clear: if Indians were to play a 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 merely as a means of displaying our might.{{#if:|{{#if:|}}

— {{#if:|, in }}Template:Comma separated entries

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India's economic progress has made its space programme more visible and active as the country aims for greater self-reliance in space technology.<ref name=newsweek1 /> In 2008, India launched as many as 11Template:Nbspsatellites, including nine from other countries, and went on to become the first nation to launch 10Template:Nbspsatellites on oneTemplate:Nbsprocket.<ref name=newsweek1>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> ISRO has put into operation two major satellite systems: the Indian National Satellite System (INSAT) for communication services, and the Indian Remote Sensing Programme (IRS) satellites for management of natural resources.<ref name="isro-comsats" /><ref name="IRSSaga" />

Organisation structure and facilities

File:Department of Space (India) - organization chart.png

The organisational structure of the Indian Department of Space

Template:See also ISRO is managed by the DOS, which itself falls under the authority of the Space Commission and manages the following agencies and institutes:<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="isro-20190130">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
• Antrix Corporation – The marketing arm of ISRO, Bengaluru
• Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad
• National Atmospheric Research Laboratory (NARL), Gadanki, Andhra Pradesh
• NewSpace India Limited – Commercial wing, Bengaluru
• North-Eastern Space Applications Centre<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> (NE-SAC), Umiam

• Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), Thiruvananthapuram – India's space university

Research facilities

Facility	Location	Description
Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre	Thiruvananthapuram	The largest ISRO base is also the main technical centre and the venue for development of the SLV-3, ASLV, and PSLV series.Template:Sfn The base supports TERLS and the Rohini Sounding Rocket programme.Template:Sfn It is also developing the GSLV series.Template:Sfn
Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre	Thiruvananthapuram and Bengaluru	The LPSC handles design, development, testing and implementation of liquid propulsion control packages, liquid stages and liquid engines for launch vehicles and satellites.Template:Sfn The testing of these systems is largely conducted at IPRC at Mahendragiri.Template:Sfn The LPSC, Bengaluru also produces precision transducers.Template:Sfn
Physical Research Laboratory	Ahmedabad	Solar planetary physics, infrared astronomy, geo-cosmo physics, plasma physics, astrophysics, archaeology, and hydrology are some of the branches of study at this institute.;Template:Sfn it also operates the observatory at Udaipur.Template:Sfn
National Atmospheric Research Laboratory	Tirupati	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Space Applications Centre	Ahmedabad	The SAC deals with the various aspects of the practical use of space technology.Template:Sfn Among the fields of research at the SAC are geodesy, satellite based telecommunications, surveying, remote sensing, meteorology, environment monitoring etc.Template:Sfn The SAC also operates the Delhi Earth Station, which is located in Delhi and is used for demonstration of various SATCOM experiments in addition to normal SATCOM operations.Template:Sfn
North-Eastern Space Applications Centre	Shillong	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Test facilities

Facility	Location	Description
ISRO Propulsion Complex	Mahendragiri	Formerly called LPSC-Mahendragiri, was declared a separate centre. It handles testing and assembly of liquid propulsion control packages, liquid engines, and stages for launch vehicles and satellites.Template:Sfn

Construction and launch facilities

Facility	Location	Description
U R Rao Satellite Centre	Bengaluru	The venue of eight successful spacecraft projects is also one of the main satellite technology bases of ISRO. The facility serves as a venue for implementing indigenous spacecraft in India.Template:Sfn The satellites Aaryabhata, Bhaskara, APPLE, and IRS-1A were built at this site, and the IRS and INSAT satellite series are presently under development here. This centre was formerly known as ISRO Satellite Centre.Template:Sfn
Laboratory for Electro-Optics Systems	Bengaluru	The Unit of ISRO responsible for the development of altitude sensors for all satellites. The high precision optics for all cameras and payloads in all ISRO satellites are developed at this laboratory, located at Peenya Industrial Estate, Bengaluru.
Satish Dhawan Space Centre	Sriharikota	With multiple sub-sites the Sriharikota island facility acts as a launching site for India's satellites.Template:Sfn The Sriharikota facility is also the main launch base for India's sounding rockets.Template:Sfn The centre is also home to India's largest Solid Propellant Space Booster Plant (SPROB) and houses the Static Test and Evaluation Complex (STEX).Template:Sfn The Second Vehicle Assembly Building (SVAB) at Sriharikota is being realised as an additional integration facility, with suitable interfacing to a second launch pad.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
SSLV Launch Complex	Kulasekarapattinam	Currently under construction. This launch facility will cater smaller rockets such as the SSLV and private sector's launch vehicles.
Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station	Thiruvananthapuram	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Tracking and control facilities

Facility	Location	Description
Indian Deep Space Network (IDSN)	Bengaluru	This network receives, processes, archives and distributes the spacecraft health data and payload data in real-time. It can track and monitor satellites up to very large distances, even beyond the Moon.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
National Remote Sensing Centre	Hyderabad	The NRSC applies remote sensing to manage natural resources and study aerial surveying.Template:Sfn With centres at Balanagar and Shadnagar it also has training facilities at Dehradun acting as the Indian Institute of Remote Sensing.Template:Sfn
ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network	Bengaluru (headquarters) and a number of ground stations throughout India and the world.Template:Sfn	Software development, ground operations, Tracking Telemetry and Command (TTC), and support is provided by this institution.Template:Sfn ISTRAC has Tracking stations throughout the country and all over the world in Port Louis (Mauritius), Bearslake (Russia), Biak (Indonesia) and Brunei.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Master Control Facility	Bhopal; Hassan	Geostationary satellite orbit raising, payload testing, and in-orbit operations are performed at this facility.Template:Sfn The MCF has Earth stations and the Satellite Control Centre (SCC) for controlling satellites.Template:Sfn A second MCF-like facility named 'MCF-B' is being constructed at Bhopal.Template:Sfn
Space Situational Awareness Control Centre	Peenya, Bengaluru	A network of telescopes and radars are being set up under the Directorate of Space Situational Awareness and Management to monitor space debris and to safeguard space-based assets. The new facility will end ISRO's dependence on NORAD. The sophisticated multi-object tracking radar installed in Nellore, a radar in Northeast India and telescopes in Thiruvananthapuram, Mount Abu and North India will be part of this network.<ref name="timesind-20190805">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Human resource development

Facility	Location	Description
Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS)	Dehradun	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST)	Thiruvananthapuram	The institute offers undergraduate and graduate courses in Aerospace Engineering, Electronics and Communication Engineering (Avionics), and Engineering Physics. The students of the first threeTemplate:Nbspbatches of IIST were inducted into different ISRO centres.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Development and Educational Communication Unit (DECU)	Ahmedabad	The centre works for education, research, and training, mainly in conjunction with the INSAT programme.Template:Sfn The main activities carried out at DECU include GRAMSAT and EDUSAT projects.Template:Sfn The Training and Development Communication Channel (TDCC) also falls under the operational control of the DECU.Template:Sfn
Space Technology Incubation Centres (S-TICs) at: Dr. B. R. Ambedkar National Institute of Technology Jalandhar Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology National Institute of Technology Agartala National Institute of Technology, Rourkela<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Jalandhar, Bhopal, Agartala, Rourkela, Nagpur	The S-TICs opened at premier technical universities in India to promote startups to build applications and products in tandem with the industry and would be used for future space missions. The S-TIC will bring the industry, academia and ISRO under one umbrella to contribute towards research and development (R&D) initiatives relevant to the Indian Space Programme.<ref name=":1a" />
Space Innovation Centre at: Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology	Burla, Sambalpur	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Regional Academy Centre for Space (RAC-S) at: Banaras Hindu University Gauhati University Kurukshetra University Malaviya National Institute of Technology National Institute of Technology Karnataka National Institute of Technology Patna Indian Institute of Technology (BHU) Varanasi<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Varanasi, Guwahati, Kurukshetra, Jaipur, Mangaluru, Patna	All these centres are set up in tier-2 cities to create awareness, strengthen academic collaboration and act as incubators for space technology, space science and space applications. The activities of RAC-S will maximise the use of research potential, infrastructure, expertise, experience and facilitate capacity building.

Antrix Corporation Limited (Commercial Wing)

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Set up as the marketing arm of ISRO, Antrix's job is to promote products, services and technology developed by ISRO.<ref name="AntrixISRO">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="AntrixNewChief">Template:Cite news</ref>

NewSpace India Limited (Commercial Wing)

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Set up for marketing spin-off technologies, tech transfers through industry interface and scale up industry participation in the space programmes.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Space Technology Incubation Centre

ISRO has opened Space Technology Incubation Centres (S-TIC) at premier technical universities in India which will incubate startups to build applications and products in tandem with the industry and for use in future space missions. The S-TIC will bring the industry, academia and ISRO under one umbrella to contribute towards research and development (R&D) initiatives relevant to the Indian Space Programme. S-TICs are at the National Institute of Technology, Agartala serving for east region, National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar for the north region, and the National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli for the south region of India.<ref name=":1a">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Advanced Space Research Group

Similar to NASA's CalTech-operated Jet Propulsion Laboratory, ISRO and the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) implemented a joint working framework in 2021, wherein ISRO will approve all short-, medium- and long-term space research projects of common interest between the two. In return, an Advanced Space Research Group (ASRG) formed at IIST under the guidance of the EOC will have full access to ISRO facilities. This was done with the aim of "transforming" the IIST into a premier space research and engineering institute with the capability of leading future space exploration missions for ISRO.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Directorate of Space Situational Awareness and Management

To reduce dependency on North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) for space situational awareness and protect the civilian and military assets, ISRO is setting up telescopes and radars in four locations to cover each direction. Leh, Mount Abu and Ponmudi were selected to station the telescopes and radars that will cover North, West and South of Indian territory. The last one will be in Northeast India to cover the entire eastern region. Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota already supports Multi-Object Tracking Radar (MOTR).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> All the telescopes and radars will come under Directorate of Space Situational Awareness and Management (DSSAM) in Bengaluru. It will collect tracking data on inactive satellites and will also perform research on active debris removal, space debris modelling and mitigation.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

For early warning, ISRO began a ₹400 crore (4 billion; US$53 million) project called Network for Space Object Tracking and Analysis (NETRA). It will help the country track atmospheric entry, intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), anti-satellite weapon and other space-based attacks. All the radars and telescopes will be connected through NETRA. The system will support remote and scheduled operations. NETRA will follow the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IASDCC) and United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOSA) guidelines. The objective of NETRA is to track objects at a distance of Template:Convert in GTO.<ref name="timesind-20190805" /><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

India signed a memorandum of understanding on the Space Situational Awareness Data Sharing Pact with the US in April 2022.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite press release</ref> It will enable Department of Space to collaborate with the Combined Space Operation Center (CSpOC) to protect the space-based assets of both nations from natural and man-made threats.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On 11 July 2022, ISRO System for Safe and Sustainable Space Operations Management (IS4OM) at Space Situational Awareness Control Centre, in Peenya was inaugurated by Jitender Singh. It will help provide information on on-orbit collision, fragmentation, atmospheric re-entry risk, space-based strategic information, hazardous asteroids, and space weather forecast. IS4OM will safeguard all the operational space assets, identify and monitor other operational spacecraft with close approaches which have overpasses over Indian subcontinent and those which conduct intentional manoeuvres with suspicious motives or seek re-entry within South Asia.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

ISRO System for Safe and Sustainable Space Operations Management

On 7 March 2023, ISRO System for Safe and Sustainable Space Operations Management (IS4OM) conducted successful controlled re-entry of decommissioned satellite Megha-Tropiques after firing four on-board 11 Newton thrusters for 20 minutes each. A series of 20 manoeuvres were performed since August 2022 by spending 120 kg fuel. The final telemetry data confirmed disintegtration over Pacific Ocean. It was part of a compliance effort following international guidelines on space debris mitigation.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Speaking at the 42nd annual meeting of the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC) in Bengaluru, S. Somanath stated that the long-term goal is for all Indian space actors—both governmental and non-governmental—to accomplish debris-free space missions by 2030.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Other facilities

• Balasore Rocket Launching Station (BRLS) – Balasore
• Bhaskaracharya Institute For Space Applications and Geo-Informatics (BISAG), Gandhinagar
• Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC), Bengaluru
• Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS)
• Indian Space Science Data Centre (ISSDC)
• Integrated Space Cell
• Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA)
• ISRO Inertial Systems Unit (IISU) – Thiruvananthapuram
• Master Control Facility
• National Deep Space Observation Centre (NDSPO)
• Regional Remote Sensing Service Centres (RRSSC)

General satellite programmes

File:Insat-1B.jpg

INSAT-1B

Since the launch of Aryabhata in 1975,<ref name="Aryabhatta" /> a number of satellite series and constellations have been deployed by Indian and foreign launchers. At present, ISRO operates one of the largest constellations of active communication and earth imaging satellites for military and civilian uses.<ref name="IRSSaga" />

The IRS series

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} The Indian Remote Sensing satellites (IRS) are India's earth observation satellites. They are the largest collection of remote sensing satellites for civilian use in operation today, providing remote sensing services.<ref name="IRSSaga" /> All the satellites are placed in polar Sun-synchronous orbit (except GISATs) and provide data in a variety of spatial, spectral and temporal resolutions to enable several programs to be undertaken relevant to national development. The initial versions are composed of the 1 (A, B, C, D) nomenclature while the later versions were divided into sub-classes named based on their functioning and uses including Oceansat, Cartosat, HySIS, EMISAT and ResourceSat etc. Their names were unified under the prefix "EOS" regardless of functioning in 2020.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> They support a wide range of applications including optical, radar and electronic reconnaissance for Indian agencies, city planning, oceanography and environmental studies.<ref name="IRSSaga" />

File:Render of Cartosat-3 satellite in deployed configuration.png

Render of Cartosat-3 satellite in deployed configuration.

The INSAT series

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File:STS008-44-611.jpg

INSAT-1B satellite: The broadcasting sector in India is highly dependent on INSAT system.

The Indian National Satellite System (INSAT) is the country's telecommunication system. It is a series of multipurpose geostationary satellites built and launched by ISRO to satisfy the telecommunications, broadcasting, meteorology and search-and-rescue needs. Since the introduction of the first one in 1983, INSAT has become the largest domestic communication system in the Asia-Pacific Region. It is a joint venture of DOS, the 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.<ref name="isro-comsats" /> The nomenclature of the series was changed to "GSAT" from "INSAT", then further changed to "CMS" from 2020 onwards.<ref name="THCMS">Template:Cite news</ref> These satellites have been used by the Indian Armed Forces as well.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> GSAT-9 or "SAARC Satellite" provides communication services for India's smaller neighbors.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Gagan Satellite Navigation System

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} 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, Surveillance and Air Traffic Management plan for civil aviation. The Indian SBAS system has been given the acronym GAGAN – GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation. A national plan for satellite navigation including implementation of a Technology Demonstration System (TDS) over Indian airspace as a proof of concept has been prepared jointly by Airports Authority of India and ISRO. The TDS was completed during 2007 with the installation of eight Indian Reference Stations at different airports linked to the Master Control Centre located near Bengaluru.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC)

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} IRNSS with an operational name NavIC is an independent regional navigation satellite system developed by India. It is designed to provide accurate position information service to users in India as well as the region extending up to Template:Cvt from its borders, which is its primary service area. IRNSS provides two types of services, namely, Standard Positioning Service (SPS) and Restricted Service (RS), providing a position accuracy of better than Template:Cvt in the primary service area.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

File:IRNSS Series 1.jpg

Rendering of an IRNSS Series 1 satellite

Other satellites

{{#invoke:Hatnote|hatnote}}{{#ifeq:||}} Kalpana-1 (MetSat-1) was ISRO's first dedicated meteorological satellite.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Indo-French satellite SARAL on 25 February 2013. SARAL (or "Satellite with ARgos and AltiKa") is a cooperative altimetry technology mission, used for monitoring the oceans' surface and sea levels. AltiKa measures ocean surface topography with an accuracy of Template:Cvt, compared to Template:Cvt on average using altimeters, and with a spatial resolution of Template:Cvt.<ref name=iex25f13>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="nasa-gsfc-sara">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Launch vehicles

File:Indian carrier rockets.svg

Comparison of Indian carrier rockets. Left to right: SLV, ASLV, PSLV, GSLV, LVM3

During the 1960s and 1970s, India initiated its own launch vehicles owing to geopolitical and economic considerations. In the 1960s–1970s, the country developed a sounding rocket, 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.Template:Sfn

Satellite Launch Vehicle

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File:Stamp of India - 1981 - Colnect 505879 - Launch of Rohini Satellite.jpeg

Stamp depicting SLV-3 D1 carrying RS-D1 satellite to orbit

The Satellite Launch Vehicle (known as SLV-3) was the first space rocket to be developed by India. The initial launch in 1979 was a failure followed by a successful launch in 1980 making India the sixth country in world with orbital launch capability. The development of bigger rockets began afterwards.<ref name="SLVFlipbook" />

Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle

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Augmented or Advanced Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV) was another small launch vehicle released in 1980s to develop technologies required to place satellites into geostationary orbit. ISRO did not have adequate funds to develop ASLV and PSLV at once. Since ASLV suffered repeated failures, it was dropped in favour of a new project.<ref name="bharat-rakshak.com">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=ITASLV />

Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle

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File:PSLV-C11 launch2.jpg

PSLV-C11 lifts off carrying Chandrayaan-1, first Indian mission to the moon.

Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle or PSLV is the first medium-lift launch vehicle from India which enabled India to launch all its remote-sensing satellites into Sun-synchronous orbit. PSLV had a failure in its maiden launch in 1993. Besides two other partial failures, PSLV has become the primary workhorse for ISRO with more than 50 launches placing hundreds of Indian and foreign satellites into orbit.<ref name="gsp-pslv-1" />

Decade-wise summary of PSLV launches:

Decade	Successful	Partial success	Failure	Total
1990s	3	1	1	5
2000s	11	0	0	11
2010s	33	0	1	34
2020s	10	0	1	11
Total	57	1	3	61

Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle

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File:GSLV-F08 Liftoff 5.jpg

GSLV-F08 launches GSAT-6A into geostationary transfer orbit (2018).

Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle was envisaged in 1990s to transfer significant payloads to geostationary orbit. ISRO initially had a great problem realising GSLV as the development of CE-7.5 in India took a decade. The US had blocked India from obtaining cryogenic technology from Russia, leading India to develop its own cryogenic engines.<ref name=flGSLVQuest />

Decade-wise summary of GSLV Launches:

Decade	Successful	Partial success	Failure	Total
2000s	2	2	1	5
2010s	6	0	2	8
2020s	3	0	1	4
Total	11	2	4	17

Launch Vehicle Mark-3

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File:LVM3 M4, Chandrayaan-3 - Launch vehicle lifting off from the Second Launch Pad (SLP) of SDSC-SHAR, Sriharikota 03.webp

LVM3 M4 lifting off from SDSC SLP, carrying Chandrayaan-3 (2023)

Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3), previously known as GSLV Mk III, is the heaviest rocket in operational service with ISRO. Equipped with a more powerful cryogenic engine and boosters than GSLV, it has significantly higher payload capacity and allows India to launch all its communication satellites.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> LVM3 is expected to carry India's first crewed mission to space<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and will be the testbed for SCE-200 engine which will power India's heavy-lift rockets in the future.<ref name="Episode 90">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Decade-wise summary of LVM3 launches:

Decade	Successful	Partial success	Failure	Total
2010s	4	0	0	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2020s	3	0	0	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Total	7	0	0	7

Small Satellite Launch Vehicle

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File:Mrm7669 Launch of SSLV-D1 from Satish Dhawan FLP.jpg

SSLV D1 lifting off from SDSC FLP

The Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) is a small-lift launch vehicle developed by the ISRO with payload capacity to deliver Template:Cvt to low Earth orbit (Template:Cvt) or Template:Cvt to Sun-synchronous orbit (Template:Cvt)<ref name=SSLV_UMv2>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> for launching small satellites, with the capability to support multiple orbital drop-offs.<ref>Gunter's space page: SSLV Template:Webarchive</ref><ref name=":1b">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="DoS_20190118">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Decade-wise summary of SSLV launches:

Decade	Successful	Partial success	Failure	Total
2020s	2	0	1	3

Rohini Sounding Rockets

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File:Rohini rockets family shapes-03.jpg

Rohini rocket family

Rohini is a series of sounding rockets developed by ISRO<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> for meteorological and atmospheric study. These sounding rockets are capable of carrying payloads of Template:Convert between altitudes of Template:Convert.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The ISRO currently uses RH-200, RH-300,Mk-II, RH-560 Mk-II and RH-560 Mk-III rockets, which are launched from the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS) in Thumba and the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.

Launch facilities

• Satish Dhawan Space Centre
• SSLV Launch Complex
• Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station

Human spaceflight programme

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} The first proposal to send humans into space was discussed by ISRO in 2006, leading to work on the required infrastructure and spacecraft.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The trials for crewed space missions began in 2007 with the Template:Convert Space Capsule Recovery Experiment (SRE), launched using the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) rocket, and safely returned to earth 12 days later.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 2009, the Indian Space Research Organisation proposed a budget of Template:INRConvert for its human spaceflight programme. An unmanned demonstration flight was expected after seven years from the final approval and a crewed mission was to be launched after seven years of funding.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> A crewed mission initially was not a priority and left on the backburner for several years.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> A space capsule recovery experiment in 2014<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and a pad abort test in 2018<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> were followed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement in his 2018 Independence Day address that India will send astronauts into space by 2022 on the new Gaganyaan spacecraft.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> To date, ISRO has developed most of the technologies needed, such as the crew module and crew escape system, space food, and life support systems. The project would cost less than Template:INR100 billion (US$1.3 billion) and would include sending two or three Indians to space, at an altitude of Template:Cvt, for at least seven days, using a GSLV Mk-III launch vehicle.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Astronaut training and other facilities

File:Gaganyaan crew at Russia.jpg

Gaganyaan crew in Russia

The newly established Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) will coordinate the IHSF campaign.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="isro-20190130" /> ISRO will set up an astronaut training centre in Bengaluru to prepare personnel for flights in the crewed vehicle. It will use simulation facilities to train the selected astronauts in rescue and recovery operations and survival in microgravity, and will undertake studies of the radiation environment of space. ISRO had to build centrifuges to prepare astronauts for the acceleration phase of the launch. Existing launch facilities at Satish Dhawan Space Centre will have to be upgraded for the Indian human spaceflight campaign.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Human Space Flight Centre and Glavcosmos signed an agreement on 1 July 2019 for the selection, support, medical examination and space training of Indian astronauts.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> An ISRO Technical Liaison Unit (ITLU) was to be set up in Moscow to facilitate the development of some key technologies and establishment of special facilities which are essential to support life in space.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Four Indian Air Force personnel finished training at Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in March 2021.<ref name="Trainingok">Template:Cite news</ref>

Crewed spacecraft

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File:Gaganyaan TV-D1 successfully secured on deck 03.jpg

Gaganyaan TV-D1 successfully secured on deck

ISRO is working towards an orbital crewed spacecraft that can operate for seven days in low Earth orbit. The spacecraft, called Gaganyaan, will be the basis of the Indian Human Spaceflight Programme. The spacecraft is being developed to carry up to three people, and a planned upgraded version will be equipped with a rendezvous and docking capability. In its first crewed mission, ISRO's largely autonomous Template:Convert spacecraft will orbit the Earth at Template:Cvt altitude for up to seven days with a two-person crew on board. A source in April 2023 suggested that ISRO was aiming for a 2025 launch.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Space stationTemplate:Anchor

File:Bharatiya Antariksha Station.jpg

Artists' impression of Bharatiya Antariksh Station

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} India plans to build a space station as a follow-up programme to Gaganyaan. ISRO chairman K. Sivan has said that India will not join the International Space Station programme and will instead build a Template:Convert space station on its own.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It is expected to be placed in a low Earth orbit at Template:Convert altitude and be capable of harbouring three humans for 15Template:Ndash20 days. The rough time-frame is five to seven years after completion of the Gaganyaan project.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> "Giving out broad contours of the planned space station, Dr. Sivan said it has been envisaged to weigh 20 tonnes and will be placed in an orbit of 400 km above earth where astronauts can stay for 15-20 days. The time frame is 5-7 years after Gaganyaan," he stated.<ref name="The Hindu">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

As per S. Somanath, the Phase1 will be ready by 2028 and the entire space station will be completed by 2035. The space station will be an international platform for collaborative research on future interplanetary missions, microgravity studies, space biology, medicine and research.<ref name=":1" />

Planetary sciences and astronomy

ISRO and Tata Institute of Fundamental Research have operated a balloon launch base at Hyderabad since 1967.<ref name="ISRO balloon" /> Its proximity to the geo-magnetic equator,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> where both primary and secondary cosmic ray fluxes are low, makes it an ideal location to study diffuse cosmic X-ray background.<ref name="ISRO balloon">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

ISRO played a role in the discovery of three species of bacteria in the upper stratosphere at an altitude between Template:Cvt. The bacteria, highly resistant to ultra-violet radiation, are not found elsewhere on Earth, leading to speculation on whether they are extraterrestrial in origin.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> They are considered extremophiles, and 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.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Astrosat

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File:Astrosat-1 in deployed configuration.png

Astrosat-1 in deployed configuration

Launched in 2015, Astrosat is India's first dedicated multi-wavelength space observatory. Its observation study includes active galactic nuclei, hot white dwarfs, pulsations of pulsars, binary star systems, and supermassive black holes located at the centre of the galaxy.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

XPoSat

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File:PSLV-C58, XPoSat - Render of XPoSat satellite in deployed configuration.png

XPoSat

The X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) is a satellite for studying black holes and polarisation.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name='Annadurai 2019'>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The spacecraft carries the Polarimeter Instrument in X-rays (POLIX) payload which will study the degree and angle of polarisation of bright astronomical X-ray sources in the energy range 5–30 keV.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It launched on 1 January 2024 on a PSLV-DL rocket,<ref name="indiatv-20231226">Template:Cite news</ref> and it has an expected operational lifespan of at least five years.<ref name='Annadurai 2019'/><ref name="dos-qa-20230405">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Extraterrestrial exploration

Lunar exploration

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Chandryaan (Template:Lit) are India's series of lunar exploration spacecraft. The initial mission included an orbiter and controlled impact probe while later missions include landers, rovers and sampling missions.<ref name="Episode 90" /><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Chandrayaan-1

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File:CY1 2007 (cropped).jpg

Rendering of Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft

Chandrayaan-1 was India's first mission to the Moon. The robotic lunar exploration mission included a lunar orbiter and an impactor called the Moon Impact Probe. ISRO launched it using a modified version of the PSLV on 22 October 2008 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre. It entered lunar orbit on 8 November 2008, carrying high-resolution remote sensing equipment for visible, near infrared, and soft and hard X-ray frequencies. During its 312-day operational period (two years were planned), it surveyed the lunar surface to produce a complete map of its chemical characteristics and three-dimensional topography. The polar regions were of special interest, as they had possible ice deposits. Chandrayaan-1 carried 11 instruments: five Indian and six from foreign institutes and space agencies (including NASA, ESA, the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Brown University and other European and North American institutions and companies), which were carried for free. The mission team was awarded the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics SPACE 2009 award,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> the International Lunar Exploration Working Group's International Co-operation award in 2008,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and the National Space Society's 2009 Space Pioneer Award in the science and engineering category.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Chandrayaan-2

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File:Chandrayaan-2 lander and orbiter integrated module.jpg

Vikram lander mounted on top of the orbiter of Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft

Chandrayaan-2, the second mission to the Moon, which included an orbiter, a lander and a rover. It was launched on a Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III (GSLV Mk III) on 22 July 2019, consisting of a lunar orbiter, the Vikram lander, and the Pragyan lunar rover, all developed in India.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="gslv3">Template:Cite news</ref> It was the first mission meant to explore the little-explored lunar south pole region.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The objective of the Chandrayaan-2 mission was to land a robotic rover to conduct various studies on the lunar surface.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The Vikram lander, carrying the Pragyan rover, was scheduled to land on the near side of the Moon, in the south polar region at a latitude of about 70° S at approximately 1:50 am(IST) on 7 September 2019. However, the lander deviated from its intended trajectory starting from an altitude of Template:Cvt, and telemetry was lost seconds before touchdown was expected.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> A review board concluded that the crash-landing was caused by a software glitch.<ref name="Failure report">How did Chandrayaan 2 fail? ISRO finally has the answer. Template:Webarchive Mahesh Guptan, The Week. 16 November 2019.</ref> The lunar orbiter was efficiently positioned in an optimal lunar orbit, extending its expected service time from one year to seven.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It was planned that there will be another attempt to soft-land on the Moon in 2023, without an orbiter.<ref name="tie-20220104">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Chandrayaan-3

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File:Chandrayaan-3 – Integrated Module.webp

Integrated Module of Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft

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

On 23 August 2023, ISRO became the first space agency to successfully land a spacecraft near the lunar south pole. ISRO is the fourth space agency ever to land on the Moon.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Mars exploration

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File:Tharsis and Valles Marineris - Mars Orbiter Mission (30055660701).png

Tharsis and Valles Marineris as captured by Mars Orbiter Mission.

Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) or (Mangalyaan-1)

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File:Mars Orbiter Mission Over Mars (15237158879).jpg

Artist's rendering of the Mars Orbiter Mission spacecraft, with Mars in the background

The Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), informally known as Mangalyaan (eng: "MarsCraft") was launched into Earth orbit on 5 November 2013 by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and has entered Mars orbit on 24 September 2014.<ref name="prelaunch Oct 2013">Template:Cite news</ref> India thus became the first country to have a space probe enter Mars orbit on its first attempt. It was completed at a record low cost of $74 million.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

MOM was placed into Mars orbit on 24 September 2014. The spacecraft had a launch mass of Template:Cvt, with Template:Cvt of five scientific instruments as payload.<ref name="MOMIsro">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="MOMSpacecraft">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The National Space Society awarded the Mars Orbiter Mission team the 2015 Space Pioneer Award in the science and engineering category.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Mars and Moon analogue research station

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Researchers from the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP) and Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have determined that Ladakh is the best site for India's first Mars and Moon analogue research station. The study project is being conducted by BSIP's Binita Phartiyal, IISc's Aloke Kumar who pioneered the idea of building space-bricks from biologically solidified lunar and martian regolith, and Gaganyaan astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla. An analog research station is a location where plans and exercises intended for the Moon and Mars are made. The projected research station would be used for geological and astrobiological research, human studies, crew training, advancing Technology Readiness Levels (TRL), testing space technologies, and engineering integration.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In Ladakh, Aaka Space Studio and ISRO will be leading a 21-day Mars and Moon analog mission. An important step forward in India's efforts to develop human spaceflight and analog research in support of the Gaganyaan program and future missions like Bharatiya Antariksha Station. It will replicate the harsh conditions of extraterrestrial environments. The expedition will test human health and endurance in isolation, acquire biometric data, simulate extraterrestrial landscape, investigate circadian lighting, and test life support technologies. The startup has experimented with technology, human endurance, and habitat design in Rann of Kutch in 2023, simulating lunar conditions.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Solar probes

Aditya-L1

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On 2 September 2023, ISRO launched the Template:Cvt Aditya-L1 mission to study the solar corona.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It is the first Indian space-based solar coronagraph to study the corona in visible and near-infrared bands. The main objective of the mission is to study coronal mass ejections (CMEs), their properties (the structure and evolution of their magnetic fields for example), and consequently constrain parameters that affect space weather.<ref name="AdityaISRO">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On 6 January 2024, Aditya-L1 spacecraft, India's first solar mission, has successfully entered its final orbit around the first Sun-Earth Lagrangian point (L1), approximately 1.5 million kilometers from Earth.<ref name="isro-20240106">Template:Cite press release</ref>

Future projects

ISRO is developing and operationalising more powerful and less pollutive rocket engines so it can eventually develop much heavier rockets. It also plans space station above earth where astronauts can stay for 15–20 days. The time frame is 5–7 years after Gaganyaan,<ref name="The Hindu"/> to develop electric and nuclear propulsion for satellites and spacecraft to reduce their weight and extend their service lives.<ref>After Mars, Venus on Isro's planetary travel list. Template:Webarchive U. Tejonmayam, Times of India. 18 May 2019.</ref> Long-term plans may include crewed landings on the Moon and other planets as well.<ref name="HTSep20">Template:Cite news</ref>

Engines and launch vehicles

Semi-cryogenic engine

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} SCE-200 is a rocket-grade kerosene (dubbed "ISROsene") and liquid oxygen (LOX)-based semi-cryogenic rocket engine inspired by RD-120. The engine will be less polluting and far more powerful than the existing Vikas engine. When combined with the LVM3, it will boost its payload capacity; it will be clustered in future to power India's heavy rockets.<ref name="WIONMar212">Template:Cite news</ref>

On 28 March 2025, ISRO announced significant progress in the design and development of a semi-cryogenic engine with a high thrust of 2,000 kN that will power the semi-cryogenic booster stage of the LVM3.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Methalox engine

Reusable methane and LOX-based engines are under development. Methane is less pollutive, leaves no residue and hence the engine needs very little refurbishment.<ref name="WIONMar21" /> The LPSC began cold flow tests of engine prototypes in 2020.<ref name="lpsctimeline" />

Modular heavy rockets

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File:NGLV Family.svg

NGLV, NGLV-H and NGLV-SH

India's own rockets lack the capacity for launching very heavy satellites to the geostationary orbit beyond 4 ton class, a problem that is planned to be fixed with the introduction of the NGLV.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> ISRO is studying heavy (HLV) and super heavy-lift launch vehicle (SHLV). Modular launchers are being designed, with interchangeable parts, to reduce production time. A Template:Convert capacity HLV and an SHLV capable of delivering Template:Convert into orbit have been mentioned in statements and presentations from ISRO officials.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="somanath-20200803">Template:Cite speech</ref>

The agency intends to develop a launcher in the 2020s which can carry nearly Template:Cvt to geostationary transfer orbit, nearly four times the capacity of the existing LVM3.<ref name="WIONMar21">Template:Cite news</ref> A rocket family of five medium to heavy-lift class modular rockets described as "Next Generation Launch Vehicle or NGLV"<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> (initially planned as Unified Modular Launch Vehicle or Unified Launch Vehicle) are being planned which will share parts and will replace ISRO's existing PSLV and GSLV rockets completely. The rocket family will be powered by LOX-Methane engine and will have a capacity of lifting from Template:Cvt to Template:Cvt to geostationary transfer orbit.<ref name="WIONSep21">Template:Cite news</ref>

Reusable launch vehicles

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}}

File:Launch of RLV-TD HEX01 from First Launch Pad of Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota (SDSC SHAR) 02.jpg

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

There have been two reusable launcher projects ongoing at ISRO. One is the ADMIRE test vehicle, conceived as a VTVL system and another is RLV-TD programme, being run to develop an autonomous spacecraft which will be launched vertically but land like a plane.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

To realise a fully re-usable two-stage-to-orbit (TSTO) launch vehicle, a series of technology demonstration missions have been conceived. For this purpose, the winged Reusable Launch Vehicle Technology Demonstrator (RLV-TD) has been configured. The RLV-TD acts as a flying testbed to evaluate various technologies such as hypersonic flight, autonomous landing, powered cruise flight, and hypersonic flight using air-breathing propulsion. First in the series of demonstration trials was the Hypersonic Flight Experiment (HEX). ISRO launched the prototype's test flight, RLV-TD, from the Sriharikota spaceport in February 2016. It weighs around Template:Cvt and flew up to a height of Template:Cvt.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> HEX was completed five months later. A scaled-up version of it could serve as fly-back booster stage for the winged TSTO concept.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> HEX will be followed by a landing experiment (LEX) and return flight experiment (REX).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Spacecraft propulsion and power

Electric thrusters

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} India has been working on replacing conventional chemical propulsion system with Hall-effect and plasma thrusters which would make spacecraft lighter.<ref name="WIONMar21" /> GSAT-4 was the first Indian spacecraft to carry electric thrusters, but it failed to reach orbit.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> GSAT-9 launched later in 2017, had xenon-based electric propulsion system for in-orbit functions of the spacecraft. GSAT-20 is expected to be the first fully electric satellite from India.<ref name="newsexpress">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

On 28 March 2025, ISRO reported that its 300 mN xenon-based Stationary Plasma Thruster had successfully completed a 1,000-hour life test under 5.4 kW full power in a vacuum chamber. The electric propulsion system, which is intended to replace the chemical propulsion system in future satellites for orbit raising and orbital station-keeping, is designed to incorporate SPT. It will enable satellite buses to carry more transponders because of their reduced weight. Compared to the chemical propulsion system, the specific impulse of SPT is at least six times greater. The EPS will be utilized for orbit raising to the geostationary orbit and is intended to be introduced and validated in the next Technology Demonstration Satellite (TDS-01) mission.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Alpha source thermoelectric propulsion technology

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG), also called alpha source thermoelectric technology by ISRO, is a type of atomic battery which uses nuclear decay heat from radioactive material to power the spacecraft.<ref name=NPE3>NPE chapter 3 Radioisotope Power Generation Template:Webarchive</ref> In January 2021, the U R Rao Satellite Centre issued an Expression of Interest (EoI) for design and development of a 100-watt RTG. RTGs ensure much longer spacecraft life and have less mass than solar panels on satellites. Development of RTGs will allow ISRO to undertake long-duration deep space missions to the outer planets.<ref name="RTEG" /><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Radioisotope heater unit

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} ISRO included two radioisotope heater units developed by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) in the propulsion module of Chandrayaan-3 on a trial basis which worked flawlessly.<ref name=":1">Template:Cite news</ref>

Nuclear propulsion

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} ISRO has plans for collaboration with Department of Atomic Energy to power future space missions using nuclear propulsion technology.<ref name=":1" />

Quantum technology

Satellite-based quantum communication

At the Indian Mobile Congress (IMC) 2023, ISRO presented its satellite-based quantum communication technology. It's called quantum key distribution (QKD) technology. According to ISRO, it is creating technologies to thwart quantum computers, which have the ability to readily breach the current generation of encrypted secure communication. A significant milestone for unconditionally secured satellite data communication was reached in September 2023 when ISRO demonstrated free-space quantum communication across a 300-meter distance, including live video conferencing using quantum-key encrypted signals.<ref name="news18-20231030">Template:Cite news</ref>

Extraterrestrial probes

Destination	Craft name	Launch vehicle	Year
Moon	Chandrayaan-4	2 × LVM3	2027
Moon	LUPEX	H3	2028-29
Venus	Venus Orbiter Mission	LVM3	29 March 2028<ref name=":3">Template:Cite news</ref>
Mars	Mars Lander Mission	LVM3	2026

Lunar exploration

Chandrayaan-4

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Chandrayaan-4 is a planned lunar sample return mission of ISRO and the fourth iteration in its Chandrayaan programme.<ref name=":6">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=":12">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> As of January 2025 the conceptualisation phase has been completed, and the design phase is nearing completion.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The mission is expected to launch around 2027.<ref name=":42">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It is planned to return up to 3 kg (6.6 lb) of lunar regolith from near Shiv Shakti point, the landing site of Chandrayaan-3.<ref name=":9">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Lunar Polar Exploration Mission

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} The Lunar Polar Exploration mission (LUPEX) is a planned robotic lunar mission concept by ISRO and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) that would send a lunar rover and lander to explore the south pole region of the Moon no earlier than 2026. JAXA is likely to provide the under-development H3 launch vehicle and the rover, while ISRO would be responsible for the lander.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="JPGU2019">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Crewed Lunar Landing

ISRO aims to put an astronaut on the lunar surface by 2040.<ref name="spacecom-20231018">Template:Cite news</ref>

Mars exploration

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} The next Mars mission, Mars Lander Mission or Mangalyaan 2, has been proposed for launch in 2024.<ref name="RS_20190718">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The new mission plan includes a rover, helicopter, sky crane and a supersonic parachute.<ref name=space2024>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Venus exploration

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} ISRO is considering an orbiter mission to Venus called Venus Orbiter Mission, that could launch as early as 2023 to study the planet's atmosphere.<ref name="Venorb">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Some funds for preliminary studies were allocated in the 2017–18 Indian budget under Space Sciences;<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="indiabudget.gov.in">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> solicitations for potential instruments were requested in 2017<ref name="A of O">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and 2018. A mission to Venus is scheduled for 2025 that will include a payload instrument called Venus Infrared Atmospheric Gases Linker (VIRAL) which has been co-developed with the Laboratoire atmosphères, milieux, observations spatiales (LATMOS) under French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) and Roscosmos.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

The Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM), which is intended to orbit a spacecraft in the orbit of planet Venus for a better understanding of the Venusian surface and subsurface, atmospheric processes, and influence of Sun on Venusian atmosphere, was approved by the Union Cabinet on 18 September 2024, under the direction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Understanding the fundamental processes that have transformed Venus—which is thought to have once been habitable and very comparable to Earth—will be crucial to comprehending the development of Earth and Venus, the sister planets.<ref name=":3" /> A total of Template:INRConvert has been sanctioned for the Venus Orbiter Mission, of which Template:INRConvert would go toward the spacecraft.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Asteroids and outer solar system

Conceptual studies are underway for spacecraft destined for the asteroids and Jupiter, as well, in the long term. The ideal launch window to send a spacecraft to Jupiter occurs every 33 months. If the mission to Jupiter is launched, a flyby of Venus would be required.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Development of RTEG power might allow the agency to further undertake deeper space missions to the other outer planets.<ref name="RTEG">Template:Cite news</ref>

Space telescopes and observatories

AstroSat-2

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} AstroSat-2 is the successor to the AstroSat mission.<ref name=TOI1>Template:Cite news</ref>

Exoworlds

Exoworlds is a joint proposal by ISRO, IIST and the University of Cambridge for a space telescope dedicated for atmospheric studies of exoplanets, planned for 2025.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> ExoWorlds is proposed as a dedicated mission for exoplanet spectroscopy in the NUV-VISIBLE-IR ranges. It would be placed in a stable orbit around the Earth-Sun L2 point.<ref name=":2">Template:Cite report</ref>Template:Rp<ref name=":4">Template:Cite report</ref>

Indian Spectroscopic and Imaging Space Telescope (INSIST)

The Indian Spectroscopic and Imaging Space Telescope (INSIST) will produce high-resolution deep UV-optical images, and will also have capabilities to carry out low to medium resolution spectroscopy. The INSIST proposal was recommended by ISRO for pre-project phase with seed funding in March 2019. Collaboration with the Canadian Space Agency is also being proposed.<ref name=":2" />Template:Rp<ref name=":4" />

DAKSHA

DAKSHA is a proposed all-sky, high-energy transients mission, with the primary objectives of studying the gravitational waves and gamma-ray bursts in a spectral range from 1 keV to about 1 MeV. To achieve these goals, Daksha will use twin Low-Earth Orbit satellites with Three Identical Instruments each. Seed funding has been issued to ISRO Laboratories to create a laboratory model of its Instruments.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":2" />Template:Rp

Proposed space weather probe

ISRO has envisioned a mission to the stable L5 Lagrange point. It is under conceptual stage and parallels ESA's Vigil mission.<ref name=":2" />Template:Rp

Proposed LEO Solar Observatory

ISRO has proposed to launch a complement to the Aditya L1 probe to be placed in Low-Earth Orbit.<ref name=":2" />Template:Rp

Forthcoming satellites

Satellite name	Launch vehicle	Year	Purpose	Notes
GISAT 2	GSLV	TBA	Earth observation	citation	CitationClass=web }}Template:Dead link</ref>
IDRSS	GSLV	TBA	Data relay and satellite tracking constellation	Facilitates continuous real-time communication between Low Earth orbit bound spacecraft to the ground station as well as inter-satellite communication. Such a satellite in geostationary orbit can track a low altitude spacecraft up to almost half of its orbit.<ref name="indiatoday-20181217">Template:Cite news</ref>
DISHA	PSLV	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Aeronomy	Disturbed and quite-type Ionosphere System at High Altitude (DISHA) satellite constellation with two satellites in Template:Cvt LEO.<ref name="RS_20190718" />
AHySIS-2	PSLV	TBA	Earth observation	Follow-up to HySIS hyperspectral Earth imaging satellite.<ref>Template:Cite conference</ref>
NISAR	GSLV	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Earth observation	NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) is a joint project between NASA and ISRO to co-develop and launch a dual frequency synthetic aperture radar satellite to be used for remote sensing. It is notable for being the first dual band radar imaging satellite.<ref name="NISARJPL">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Geospatial intelligence satellites

A family of 50 artificial intelligence based satellites will be launched by ISRO between 2024 and 2028 to collect geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) in different orbits to track military movements and photograph areas of interest. For the sake of national security, the satellites will monitor the neighboring areas and the international border. It will use thermal, optical, synthetic aperture radar (SAR), among other technologies, for GEOINT application. Each satellite using artificial intelligence will have the ability to communicate and collaborate with the remaining satellites in space at different orbits to monitor the environment for intelligence gathering operations.<ref name="timesofindia-20231228">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="timesofindia-20231230">Template:Cite news</ref>

Modular Space Station

Bharatiya Antariksh Station

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) is a planned modular space station to be constructed by India and operated by ISRO.<ref name="pib-202310172">Template:Cite press release</ref> The space station would weigh 52 tonnes and maintain an orbit of approximately 400 kilometres above the Earth, where astronauts could stay for 3–6 months.<ref name="isrostation">Template:Cite news</ref>

Upcoming launch facility

SSLV Launch Complex

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} SSLV Launch Complex is an under-construction spaceport in Kulasekarapattinam, Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu. After completion, it would serve as the second launch facility of ISRO. This spaceport will mainly be used by ISRO for launching SSLV.<ref name="hindu-20231010">Template:Cite news</ref>

Applications

Telecommunication

India uses its satellite 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.Template:Sfn Business, administrative services, and schemes such as the National Informatics Centre (NIC) are direct beneficiaries of applied satellite technology.Template:Sfn

Military

Template:See also The Integrated Space Cell, under the Integrated Defence Staff headquarters of the Ministry of Defence,<ref name=iss>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> has been set up to utilise more effectively the country's space-based assets for military purposes and to look into threats to these assets.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> This command will leverage space technology including satellites. Unlike an aerospace command, where the Air Force controls most of its activities, the Integrated Space Cell envisages cooperation and coordination between the three services as well as civilian agencies dealing with space.<ref name=iss />

With 14 satellites, including GSAT-7A for exclusive military use and the rest as dual-use satellites, India has the fourth largest number of satellites active in the sky which includes satellites for the exclusive use of its air force (IAF) and navy.<ref name=howmany>Why Isro's Gsat-7A launch is important for the Indian Air Force Template:Webarchive, Times of India, 19 December 2018.</ref> GSAT-7A, an advanced military communications satellite built exclusively for the Air Force,<ref name=":0">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> is similar to the Navy's GSAT-7, and GSAT-7A will enhance the IAF's network-centric warfare capabilities by interlinking different ground radar stations, ground airbases and airborne early warning and control (AWACS) aircraft such as the Beriev A-50 Phalcon and DRDO AEW&CS.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=skymil1 />

GSAT-7A will also be used by the Army's Aviation Corps for its helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=skymil1>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 2013, ISRO launched GSAT-7 for the exclusive use of the Navy to monitor the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) with the satellite's Template:Convert 'footprint' and real-time input capabilities to Indian warships, submarines and maritime aircraft.<ref name=howmany /> To boost the network-centric operations of the IAF, ISRO launched GSAT-7A in December 2018.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=howmany /> The RISAT series of radar-imaging earth observation satellites is also meant for Military use.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> ISRO launched EMISAT on 1 April 2019. EMISAT is a Template:Convert electronic intelligence (ELINT) satellite. It will improve the situational awareness of the Indian Armed Forces by providing information and the location of hostile radars.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

India's satellites and satellite launch vehicles have had military spin-offs. While India's Template:Convert range Prithvi missile is not derived from the Indian space programme, the intermediate range Agni missile is derived from the Indian space programme's SLV-3. In its early years, under Sarabhai and Dhawan, ISRO opposed military applications for its dual-use projects such as the SLV-3. Eventually, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)-based missile programme borrowed staff and technology from ISRO. Missile scientist A.P.J. Abdul Kalam (later elected president), who had headed the SLV-3 project at ISRO, took over as missile programme at DRDO. About a dozen scientists accompanied him, helping to design the Agni missile using the SLV-3's solid fuel 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 the 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 Air Force's "Airpower Doctrine" aspired to use space assets for surveillance and battle management.<ref name=mistry94>Mistry, 94–95</ref>

Academic

Institutions like the Indira Gandhi National Open University and the Indian Institutes of Technology use satellites for educational applications.<ref name=Bhaskaranarayana1744>Bhaskaranarayana, 1744</ref> Between 1975 and 1976, India conducted its largest sociological programme using space technology, reaching 2,400Template:Nbspvillages through video programming in local languages aimed at educational development via ATS-6 technology developed by NASA.Template:Sfn This experiment—named Satellite Instructional Television Experiment (SITE)—conducted large-scale video broadcasts resulting in significant improvement in rural education.Template:Sfn

Telemedicine

ISRO has applied its technology for telemedicine, directly connecting patients in rural areas to medical professionals in urban locations via satellite.<ref name=Bhaskaranarayana1744 /> Since high-quality healthcare is not universally available in some of the remote areas of India, patients in those areas are diagnosed and analysed by doctors in urban centers in real time via video conferencing.<ref name=Bhaskaranarayana1744 /> The patient is then advised on medicine and treatment,<ref name=Bhaskaranarayana1744 /> and treated by the staff at one of the 'super-specialty hospitals' per instructions from those doctors.<ref name=Bhaskaranarayana1744 /> Mobile telemedicine vans are also deployed to visit locations in far-flung areas and provide diagnosis and support to patients.<ref name=Bhaskaranarayana1744 />

Biodiversity Information System

ISRO has also helped implement India's Biodiversity Information System, completed in October 2002.<ref name=sen490 /> Nirupa Sen details the programme: "Based on intensive field sampling and mapping using satellite remote sensing and geospatial modeling tools, maps have been made of vegetation cover on a 1: 250,000 scale. This has been put together in a web-enabled database that 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."<ref name=sen490>Sen, 490</ref>

Cartography

The Indian IRS-P5 (CARTOSAT-1) was equipped with high-resolution panchromatic equipment to enable it for cartographic purposes.Template:Sfn IRS-P5 (CARTOSAT-1) was followed by a more advanced model named IRS-P6 developed also for agricultural applications.Template:Sfn The CARTOSAT-2 project, equipped with single panchromatic camera that supported scene-specific on-spot images, succeeded the CARTOSAT-1 project.Template:Sfn

Spin-offs

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} ISRO's research has been diverted into spin-offs to develop various technologies for other sectors. Examples include bionic limbs for people without limbs, silica aerogel to keep Indian soldiers serving in extremely cold areas warm, distress alert transmitters for accidents, Doppler weather radar and various sensors and machines for inspection work in engineering industries.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

International cooperations

ISRO has signed various formal cooperative arrangements in the form of either Agreements or Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) or Framework Agreements with Afghanistan, Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Maldives, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Myanmar, the Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Peru, Portugal, Russia, São Tomé and Príncipe, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Netherlands, Tunisia, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States, Uzbekistan, Venezuela and Vietnam. Formal cooperative instruments have been signed with international multilateral bodies including European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), European Commission, European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT), European Space Agency (ESA) and South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Notable collaborative projects

• Chandrayaan-1 also carried scientific payloads to the Moon from NASA, the European Space Agency, Bulgarian Space Agency, and other institutions/companies in North America and Europe.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
• For the Gaganyaan mission, ISRO signed a Technical Implementing Plan (TIP) with ESA to provide ground station support.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Indo-French satellite missions

ISRO has two collaborative satellite missions with France's CNES, namely the now retired Megha-Tropiques to study water cycle in the tropical atmosphereTemplate:Sfn and the presently active SARAL for altimetry.<ref name="nasa-gsfc-sara" /> A third mission consisting of an Earth observation satellite with a thermal infrared imager, TRISHNA (Thermal infraRed Imaging Satellite for High resolution Natural resource Assessment) is being planned by the two countries.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

LUPEX

The Lunar Polar Exploration Mission (LUPEX) is a joint Indo-Japanese mission to study the polar surface of the Moon where India is tasked with providing soft landing technologies.<ref name="Episode 82">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

NISAR

NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) is a joint Indo-US radar project carrying an L band and an S band radar. It will be world's first radar imaging satellite to use dual frequencies.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Some other notable collaborations include:

• ISRO operates LUT/MCC under the international COSPAS/SARSAT Programme for Search and Rescue.<ref name="LUT1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• 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.<ref name="CSSTEAP1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• 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).Template:Sfn
• Contributing to planned BRICS virtual constellation for remote sensing.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="ria-20190628">Template:Cite news</ref>

Statistics

Last updated: 26 March 2023

• Total number of foreign satellites launched by ISRO: 417 (34 countries)<ref name="isro-listforeignsats">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• Spacecraft missions: 116<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• Launch missions: 86
• Student satellites: 13 <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• Re-entry missions: 2

Budget for the Department of Space

Calendar Year	GDP (2011–12 base year) in crores(₹)<ref name="EcoSurStats_2021-22">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Total Expenditure in crores (₹)	Budget of Department of Space<ref name="DoS_DDG">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation				CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Notes and references
		Nominal INR (crore)		% of GDP	% of Total Expenditure	2020 Constant INR (crore)
1972–73	55245		18.2325000	Template:Percentage		Template:Inflation	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="DDGDOS_1974-75">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1973–74	67241		19.0922000	Template:Percentage		Template:Inflation	Revised Estimate as Actuals are not available <ref name="DDGDOS_1974-75" />Template:Rp<ref name="DDGDOS_1975-76">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1974–75	79378		30.7287000	Template:Percentage		Template:Inflation	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1975–76	85212		36.8379000	Template:Percentage		Template:Inflation	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1976–77	91812		41.1400000	Template:Percentage		Template:Inflation	Revised Estimate as Actuals are not available <ref name="DDGDOS_1977-78" />
1977–78	104024		37.3670000	Template:Percentage		Template:Inflation	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1978–79	112671		51.4518000	Template:Percentage		Template:Inflation	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1979–80	123562		57.0062000	Template:Percentage		Template:Inflation	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1980–81	147063		82.1087000	Template:Percentage		Template:Inflation	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>Template:Rp
1981–82	172776		109.132100	Template:Percentage		Template:Inflation	Revised Estimate as Actuals are not available<ref name="DDGDOS_1982-83" />Template:Rp<ref name="DDGDOS_1983-84">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1982–83	193255		94.8898000	Template:Percentage		Template:Inflation	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1983–84	225074		163.365600	Template:Percentage		Template:Inflation	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1984–85	252188		181.601000	Template:Percentage		Template:Inflation	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1985–86	284534		229.102300	Template:Percentage		Template:Inflation	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1986–87	318366		309.990900	Template:Percentage		Template:Inflation	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1987–88	361865		347.084600	Template:Percentage		Template:Inflation	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1988–89	429363		422.367000	Template:Percentage		Template:Inflation	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1989–90	493278		398.559500	Template:Percentage		Template:Inflation	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1990–91	576109	105298	386.221800	Template:Percentage	Template:Percentage	Template:Inflation	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="TrendsEx_1990-1998">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1991–92	662260	111414	460.101000	Template:Percentage	Template:Percentage	Template:Inflation	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="TrendsEx_1990-1998" />
1992–93	761196	122618	490.920400	Template:Percentage	Template:Percentage	Template:Inflation	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="TrendsEx_1990-1998" />
1993–94	875992	141853	695.335000	Template:Percentage	Template:Percentage	Template:Inflation	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="TrendsEx_1990-1998" />
1994–95	1027570	160739	759.079300	Template:Percentage	Template:Percentage	Template:Inflation	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="TrendsEx_1990-1998" /><ref name="TrendsEx_1994-2002">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1995–96	1205583	178275	755.778596	Template:Percentage	Template:Percentage	Template:Inflation	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="TrendsEx_1990-1998" /><ref name="TrendsEx_1994-2002" />
1996–97	1394816	201007	1062.44660	Template:Percentage	Template:Percentage	Template:Inflation	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="TrendsEx_1990-1998" /><ref name="TrendsEx_1994-2002" />
1997–98	1545294	232053	1050.50250	Template:Percentage	Template:Percentage	Template:Inflation	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="TrendsEx_1994-2002" />
1998–99	1772297	279340	1401.70260	Template:Percentage	Template:Percentage	Template:Inflation	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="TrendsEx_1994-2002" /><ref name="TrendsEx_1998-2006">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1999–00	1988262	298053	1677.38580	Template:Percentage	Template:Percentage	Template:Inflation	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="TrendsEx_1994-2002" /><ref name="TrendsEx_1998-2006" />
2000–01	2139886	325592	1905.39970	Template:Percentage	Template:Percentage	Template:Inflation	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="TrendsEx_1994-2002" /><ref name="TrendsEx_1998-2006" />
2001–02	2315243	362310	1900.97370	Template:Percentage	Template:Percentage	Template:Inflation	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="TrendsEx_1998-2006" /><ref name="TrendsEx_2001-2009">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2002–03	2492614	413248	2162.22480	Template:Percentage	Template:Percentage	Template:Inflation	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="TrendsEx_1998-2006" /><ref name="TrendsEx_2001-2009" />
2003–04	2792530	471203	2268.80470	Template:Percentage	Template:Percentage	Template:Inflation	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="TrendsEx_1998-2006" /><ref name="TrendsEx_2001-2009" />
2004–05	3186332	498252	2534.34860	Template:Percentage	Template:Percentage	Template:Inflation	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="TrendsEx_1998-2006" /><ref name="TrendsEx_2001-2009" />
2005–06	3632125	505738	2667.60440	Template:Percentage	Template:Percentage	Template:Inflation	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="TrendsEx_1998-2006" /><ref name="TrendsEx_2001-2009" />
2006–07	4254629	583387	2988.66550	Template:Percentage	Template:Percentage	Template:Inflation	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="TrendsEx_2001-2009" /><ref name="TrendsEx_2006-2014">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2007–08	4898662	712671	3278.00440	Template:Percentage	Template:Percentage	Template:Inflation	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="TrendsEx_2001-2009" /><ref name="TrendsEx_2006-2014" />
2008–09	5514152	883956	3493.57150	Template:Percentage	Template:Percentage	Template:Inflation	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="TrendsEx_2001-2009" /><ref name="TrendsEx_2006-2014" />
2009–10	6366407	1024487	4162.95990	Template:Percentage	Template:Percentage	Template:Inflation	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="TrendsEx_2006-2014" />
2010–11	7634472	1197328	4482.23150	Template:Percentage	Template:Percentage	Template:Inflation	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="TrendsEx_2006-2014" />
2011–12	8736329	1304365	3790.78880	Template:Percentage	Template:Percentage	Template:Inflation	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="TrendsEx_2006-2014" />
2012–13	9944013	1410372	4856.28390	Template:Percentage	Template:Percentage	Template:Inflation	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="TrendsEx_2006-2014" />
2013–14	11233522	1559447	5168.95140	Template:Percentage	Template:Percentage	Template:Inflation	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="TrendsEx_2006-2014" />
2014–15	12467960	1663673	5821.36630	Template:Percentage	Template:Percentage	Template:Inflation	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="TrendsEx_2014-2015">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2015–16	13771874	1790783	6920.00520	Template:Percentage	Template:Percentage	Template:Inflation	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="TrendsEx_2015-2016">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2016–17	15391669	1975194	8039.99680	Template:Percentage	Template:Percentage	Template:Inflation	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="TrendsEx_2016-2017">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2017–18	17090042	2141975	9130.56640	Template:Percentage	Template:Percentage	Template:Inflation	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="TrendsEx_2017-2018">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2018–19	18899668	2315113	11192.6566	Template:Percentage	Template:Percentage	Template:Inflation	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="TrendsEx_2018-2019">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2019–20	20074856	2686330	13033.2917	Template:Percentage	Template:Percentage	Template:Inflation	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="TrendsEx_2019-2020">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2020–21	19800914	3509836	9490.05390	Template:Percentage	Template:Percentage	Template:Inflation	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="TrendsEx_2020-2021">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2021–22	23664637	3793801	12473.84	Template:Percentage	Template:Percentage	Template:Inflation	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="TrendsEx_2020-2021" /><ref name="ib-ebudget2324">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Corporate affairs

S-band spectrum scam

In India, electromagnetic spectrum, a scarce resource for wireless communication, is auctioned by the Government of India to telecom companies for use. As an example of its value, in 2010, 20 MHz of 3G spectrum was auctioned for Template:INRConvert. This part of the spectrum is allocated for terrestrial communication (cell phones). However, in January 2005, Antrix Corporation (commercial arm of ISRO) signed an agreement with Devas Multimedia (a private company formed by former ISRO employees and venture capitalists from the US) for lease of S band transponders (amounting to 70 MHz of spectrum) on two ISRO satellites (GSAT 6 and GSAT 6A) for a price of Template:INRConvert, to be paid over a period of 12 years. The spectrum used in these satellites (2500 MHz and above) is allocated by the International Telecommunication Union specifically for satellite-based communication in India. Hypothetically, if the spectrum allocation is changed for utilisation for terrestrial transmission and if this 70 MHz of spectrum were sold at the 2010 auction price of the 3G spectrum, its value would have been over Template:INRConvert. This was a hypothetical situation. However, the Comptroller and Auditor-General considered this hypothetical situation and estimated the difference between the prices as a loss to the Indian Government.<ref name="Thakur, Pradeep">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Behind the S-band spectrum scandal">Template:Cite news</ref>

There were lapses on implementing official procedures. Antrix/ISRO had allocated the capacity of the above two satellites exclusively to Devas Multimedia, while the rules said it should always be non-exclusive. The Cabinet was misinformed in November 2005 that several service providers were interested in using satellite capacity, while the Devas deal was already signed. Also, the Space Commission was not informed when approving the second satellite (its cost was diluted so that Cabinet approval was not needed). ISRO committed to spending Template:INRConvert of public money on building, launching, and operating two satellites that were leased out for Devas.<ref name="ETDevdas">Template:Cite news</ref> In late 2009, some ISRO insiders exposed information about the Devas-Antrix deal,<ref name="Behind the S-band spectrum scandal" /><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and the ensuing investigations led to the deal's annulment. G. Madhavan Nair (ISRO Chairperson when the agreement was signed) was barred from holding any post under the Department of Space. Some former scientists were found guilty of "acts of commission" or "acts of omission". Devas and Deutsche Telekom demanded US$2 billion and US$1 billion, respectively, in damages.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Department of Revenue and Ministry of Corporate Affairs began an inquiry into Devas shareholding.<ref name="ETDevdas" />

The Central Bureau of Investigation registered a case against the accused in the Antrix-Devas deal under Section 120-B, besides Section 420 of IPC and Section 13(2) read with 13(1)(d) of PC Act, 1988 in March 2015 against the then executive director of Antrix Corporation, two officials of a USA-based company, a Bengaluru-based private multimedia company, and other unknown officials of the Antrix Corporation or the Department of Space.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Devas Multimedia started arbitration proceedings against Antrix in June 2011. In September 2015, the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce ruled in favour of Devas, and directed Antrix to pay US$672 million (Rs 44.35 billion) in damages to Devas.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Antrix opposed the Devas plea for tribunal award in the Delhi High Court.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Heads of ISRO

List of Chairmen (since 1963) of ISRO.

1. Vikram Sarabhai (1963–1971)
2. M. G. K. Menon (1972)
3. Satish Dhawan (1973–1984)
4. U. R. Rao (1984–1994)
5. K. Kasturirangan (1994–2003)
6. G. Madhavan Nair (2003–2009)
7. K. Radhakrishnan (2009–2014)
8. Shailesh Nayak (2015)
9. A. S. Kiran Kumar (2015–2018)
10. K. Sivan (2018–2022)
11. S. Somanath (2022–2025)
12. V. Narayanan (2025–present)

See also

• Satish Dhawan Space Centre
• Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre
• SSLV Launch Complex
• Deep Ocean mission
• Defence Space Agency
• Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology
• List of government space agencies
• List of Indian satellites
• List of ISRO missions
• NewSpace India Limited
• IN–SPACe
• Indian Space Association
• Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar
• Science and technology in India
• Space industry of India
• Swami Vivekananda Planetarium
• Telecommunications in India
• Timeline of Solar System exploration
• National Space Science Symposium

Bibliography

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Further reading

• The Economics of India's Space Programme, by U. Sankar, Oxford University Press, New Delhi, 2007, Template:ISBN
• The Indian Space Programme, by Gurbir Singh, Astrotalkuk Publications, Template:ISBN
• Reach For the Stars: The Evolution of India's Rocket Programme, by Gopal Raj, Template:ISBN
• From Fishing Hamlet to Red Planet: India's Space Journey, by ISRO, Template:ISBN
• Brief History of Rocketry in ISRO, by P V Manoranjan Rao and P Radhakrishnan, Template:ISBN
• India's Rise as a Space Power, by U R Rao, Template:ISBN

External links

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