Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Quiz

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is the national space agency of India and was established on August 15, 1969, by the Ministry of Science & Technology 1. It undertakes research, planning, design, testing, manufacturing, and launching of rockets and satellites, with the goal of advancing technology in the fields of space science, planetary exploration, satellite communication, remote sensing, weather forecasting, disaster management, education, and navigation using satellite technology 1. ISRO has developed a reputation for its cost-effective innovations and has been at the forefront of several major technological advancements over the years.

Early History

India's first rocket launch took place on November 21, 1963, when the first experimental sounding rocket was launched from Thumba, near Trivandrum, Kerala, under Project Devasthalan 2. This marked the beginning of India's journey into the world of space exploration.

Key Achievements

Some notable achievements of ISRO include:

1. On July 18, 1979, India successfully launched the SLV-3, its first indigenous satellite launch vehicle (SLV), placing Rohini satellite into orbit 2.
2. In April 1980, ISRO launched the country's first geostationary satellite, Bhaskara Satellite-I, which revolutionised television broadcasting in India 2.
3. In April 1981, the second generation of SLV-3, carrying the Bhaskara Satellite II, was launched, providing India with advanced meteorological data 2.
4. In 1983, ISRO launched India's first communication satellite, Insat-1A. Currently, there are more than 50 operational satellites in various configurations, including the INSAT series, GSAT series, IRNSS series, and other scientific satellites 1.

Current Missions

As of March 11, 2024, some ongoing missions and projects of ISRO include:

1. Aditya L-1 mission: Launched on February 20, 2023, this mission aims to study solar flares, coronal mass ejections (CMEs), and their effect on Earth's magnetic field 2.
2. Chandrayaan-3: Scheduled for launch in Q4 2023, this lunar mission aims to explore the southern pole of the moon and collect samples for further analysis 2.
3. Gaganyaan: India's first manned space mission, Gaganyaan is scheduled for launch in December 2024. It will carry three astronauts into space for around seven days 2.
4. Small satellite programme: ISRO develops small satellites in collaboration with academia and industry for applications such as earth observation, disaster management, etc. 1.
5. Regional Navigation Satellite System (RNSS): Similar to GPS, RNSS provides location services within the region enclosed between 80° E and 100° E longitude 1.

In conclusion, ISRO is a proud achievement of India's scientific prowess, showcasing the nation's commitment to space exploration and technological innovation. It continues to push boundaries through its diverse range of space missions, aimed at unlocking new frontiers across multiple domains.