Which is the first satellite to be developed and launched by India?

Submitted by aurora on

Aryabhatta was the first Indian satellite, launched into a near earth orbit on April 19, 1975,by an Intercosmos rocket of erstwhile USSR. Carried three payloads, one each for X-ray astronomy,solar physics and aeronomy. Aryabhata was built by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) to conduct experiments related to astronomy. The satellite reentered the Earth's atmosphere on 11 February 1992.The 360-Kg satellite was fabricated wholly by Indian scientists at Peenya, Bengaluru, in 26 months at a cost of Rs. 50 Million.
The satellite was designated Aryabhatta after the fifth century astronomer and mathematician Aryabhatta of Kusumapura near Patliputra, now Patna, who laid the foundation of modern algebra, determined the parameters of the movements of various celestial bodies, calculated the diameters of the Earth and the Moon, and the importance of their movements around the sun.

More on the ISRO satellite centre:

  • Lead centre for satellite technology.
  • Activities cover digital systems, power systems, communication and microwavesystems, spacecraft assembly integration and testing,structures, thermal, spacecraft mechanisms, control systems, spacecraft mission planning and analysis, computers and information, systems reliability and space physics.
  • Facilities include fabrication and test facilities for satellite projects.
    Laboratory for Electro-Optic Sensors (LEOS) works under the overall umbrella of ISAC
  • Achievements incude design and development of 23 satellites so far of various types like scientific, communication and remote sensing. INSAT-2E, IRS-P4, IRS-P5, IRS-P6 and G-SAT are current projects.

For much more info on all satellites launched and ISRO programmes, log on to the ISRO website:

 

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